Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents
Monday, June 19, 1995 Volume 31—Number 24 Pages 1013–1066
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Addresses to the Nation Interviews With the News Media Plan to balance the budget—1051 Exchanges with reporters in the Oval Office— 1052, 1053 Addresses and Remarks News conference with European Union Capt. Scott O’Grady, ceremony honoring— leaders, June 15 (No. 97)—1054 1042 Meetings With Foreign Leaders Les Aspin, memorial service—1049 European Union Maryland, departure for the Group of Seven President Chirac of the European summit at Andrews Air Force Base—1062 Council—1053, 1054 Massachusetts, fundraising dinner for Senator President Santer of the European John Kerry in Boston—1033 Commission—1053, 1054 New Hampshire Proclamations Dartmouth College commencement Father’s Day—1048 ceremony in Hanover—1015 Flag Day and National Flag Week—1013 Town meeting with Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich in Claremont—1019 Resignations and Retirements Plan to balance the budget—1052 Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, Radio address—1014 statement—1063 United Auto Workers convention—1043 Statements by the President White House Conference on Small See also Resignations and Retirements Business—1037 Affirmative action—1050 Communications to Congress Lane Kirkland, retirement—1048 North Korea, nuclear agreement—1050 Housing and Urban Development Department, message transmitting report— Supplementary Materials 1051 Acts approved by the President—1066 Checklist of White House press releases— Executive Orders 1066 Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS— Digest of other White House 1061 announcements—1063 Nominations submitted to the Senate—1065
Editor’s Note: The President was in Halifax, Canada, on June 16, the closing date of this issue. Releases and announcements issued by the Office of the Press Secretary but not received in time for inclusion in this issue will be printed next week.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF regulations prescribed by the Administrative Committee of the Federal Register, approved by the President (37 FR 23607; 1 CFR Part 10). PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS Distribution is made only by the Superintendent of Docu- ments, Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. Published every Monday by the Office of the Federal Reg- The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents will be ister, National Archives and Records Administration, Washing- furnished by mail to domestic subscribers for $80.00 per year ton, DC 20408, the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ($137.00 for mailing first class) and to foreign subscribers for ments contains statements, messages, and other Presidential $93.75 per year, payable to the Superintendent of Documents, materials released by the White House during the preceding Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The week. charge for a single copy is $3.00 ($3.75 for foreign mailing). The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents is pub- There are no restrictions on the republication of material lished pursuant to the authority contained in the Federal Reg- appearing in the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Docu- ister Act (49 Stat. 500, as amended; 44 U.S.C. Ch. 15), under ments.
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Proclamation 6808—Flag Day and June 14 of each year as ‘‘Flag Day’’ and re- National Flag Week, 1995 quested the President to issue an annual June 9, 1995 Proclamation calling for its observance and for the display of the Flag of the United By the President of the United States States on all Government buildings. The of America Congress also requested the President, by joint resolution approved June 9, 1966 (80 A Proclamation Stat. 194), to issue annually a Proclamation This week, Americans celebrate the Flag designating the week in which June 14 occurs of the United States, which for more than as ‘‘National Flag Week,’’ and calling upon two centuries has brought our people to- all citizens of the United States to display gether in a common bond of citizenship. We the flag during that week. reaffirm our allegiance to freedom’s ban- Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, ner—‘‘Old Glory’’—and to the proud history President of the United States of America, it has inspired. We honor the valor and sac- do hereby proclaim June 14, 1995, as Flag rifices of all who have defended it—in public Day and the week beginning June 11, 1995, service and on battlegrounds around the as National Flag Week. I direct the appro- world. And we rededicate ourselves to the priate officials of the Government to display democratic ideals stitched forever into the the Flag of the United States on all Govern- fabric of America. ment buildings during that week. I urge In towns and cities across the country, Americans to observe Flag Day, June 14, and public buildings fly the Stars and Stripes as Flag Week by flying the Stars and Stripes a symbol of our Nation’s spirit of community. from their homes and other suitable places. That spirit was never more evident than this I also call upon the American people to past April in Oklahoma, where the flag ap- observe with pride and all due ceremony peared on the sleeves of rescue workers, those days from Flag Day through Independ- emergency personnel, and volunteers from ence Day, also set aside by the Congress (89 throughout the land. A shining badge of Stat. 211), as a time to honor America and honor, it reminded all who mourned that we to celebrate our heritage in public gatherings Americans have seen countless trials and and activities and to publicly recite the have emerged from each one stronger than Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the Unit- ever. ed States of America. Earlier this year, in expressing our grati- In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set tude to the men and women who served in my hand this ninth day of June, in the year uniform during the Second World War, the of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- Nation observed the fiftieth anniversary of five, and of the Independence of the United the Battle of Iwo Jima. We recalled the day, States of America the two hundred and nine- immortalized in sculpture, when a team of teenth. brave Americans beat all odds and hoisted William J. Clinton aloft the American flag. May we, the heirs of the freedom they fought to defend, always [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, remember their courage and serve as loyal 3:12 p.m., June 12, 1995] standard-bearers for the cause of liberty. NOTE: This proclamation was published in the To commemorate the adoption of our flag, Federal Register on June 14. This item was not the Congress, by a joint resolution approved received in time for publication in the appropriate August 3, 1949 (63 Stat. 492), designated issue.
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The President’s Radio Address every 30 minutes. Well over a million people will be injured, one every 26 seconds. June 10, 1995 This may sound unbelievable; it’s certainly Good morning. I know all Americans share unacceptable. But over 40 percent of all Americans will be involved in an alcohol-re- my deep pride and joy in the safety of Cap- lated crash at some time in their lives. Twen- tain Scott O’Grady. We’re proud of his cour- ty-two hundred people were killed last year age and his tenacity. And we are very grateful because of young drivers who were drinking to our armed forces for his swift and brilliant and driving. Of that group, 1,600 were young rescue. I’m glad we have him back safe and people themselves. There’s something wrong secure. in America when hundreds and hundreds of Today I want to talk about a very real our young people are dying because hun- threat to the safety and security of young dreds and hundreds of our young people are Americans here at home: drunk driving. drinking and driving. Drunk driving, especially by young people, In most States, drunk driving is defined is one of the most serious and one of the as a blood alcohol content of .1 percent. most avoidable threats to public health in When underage drinkers become underage America. I’m joined in the White House by drunk drivers, I believe we should go further. members of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, I want Congress to call on the States to adopt Students Against Drunk Driving, AAA, and zero tolerance laws for teenage drinking and the National Safety Council. In no small driving. A blood alcohol content of .02 per- measure because of the determined work of cent, the equivalent of one beer, one wine private organizations like these, we have cooler, or one shot of alcohol, should be taken some very important steps over the last enough to trigger the drunk driving penalties decade to reduce drunk driving. for people under 21. After all, if it’s illegal Most of us who were Governors of our for people under 21 to drink at all, it should States during that period strengthened our certainly be illegal for them to drink and own laws against drunk driving. In 1984, drive. That’s a no-brainer. President Reagan signed a bill giving States Zero tolerance will save lives. It’s already a strong incentive to raise their drinking age saving lives in 24 States, including my home to 21. Today that is the law of the land in State. Alcohol-related crashes are down 10 every State. As a result, teenagers can no to 20 percent in those States overall. And longer drive to neighboring States with lower in some States like Maine and New Mexico, drinking ages. This happened all the time be- all fatal crashes at night involving young peo- fore we had a uniform drinking age, and all ple actually dropped by one-third after they too often with tragic consequences. adopted a zero tolerance law. Unfortunately, The crime bill I signed into law last year there are still 26 States, including large States puts tough new penalties on the books for like New York, Texas, and Florida, that draw people who drive drunk with children in their thousands of vacationing teenagers every cars. It also makes it easier for States to pros- year, without these zero tolerance laws. It’s ecute anybody who drives under the influ- time to have zero tolerance for underage ence of drugs or alcohol. And deaths due to drunk driving all across America, not just in drinking and driving have dropped as a result some States. of the progress we’ve made, 30 percent in As we redefine the relationships between the last 12 years. The number of people States and the Federal Government, it is under 21 killed because of drunk driving has clear there are many things the States can dropped 50 percent since 1984. do better than we can do in Washington. And This is good progress, and I expect the new I’ve done as much as I could to push more penalties in the crime bill will help to im- authority and decisionmaking back down to prove things even more. But it’s not good the States, to encourage innovation in impor- enough. Some 18,000 people will die this tant areas like welfare and health care re- year because someone sat down at the wheel form. But there are other things that are so after sitting down at a bar. That’s about one important to our safety, our security, to our
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children, and our future that the Federal having left Baker Lawn. But I did a little Government has a responsibility to act. historical inquiry and determined that when I don’t think there’s any question that the President Eisenhower came here in 1953, fight against teenage drunk driving demands Baker Lawn replaced the Bema as the site national action. Congress should make zero of commencement. I am reliably informed, tolerance the law of the land. Drinking and however, that the next time a President driving don’t mix for anyone. They certainly shows up, you will not have to move to the shouldn’t be mixed by teenagers. The faster parking lot at the West Lebanon Shopping we act, the sooner the States will act and Center. the more lives we’ll save. Let’s get to it. You know, when President Eisenhower Thanks for listening. came here, he said, ‘‘This is what a college is supposed to look like,’’ And I have to tell NOTE: The address was recorded at 11:07 a.m. you even in the rain it looks very, very good on June 9 in the Roosevelt Room at the White to me. House for broadcast at 10:06 a.m. on June 10. In his remarks, the President referred to Capt. I want to thank you, too, for honoring the Scott O’Grady, USAF, who was rescued after class of 1945. See them there? They did not being shot down and stranded in western Bosnia. have a proper commencement because they left right away to finish the work of World War II. One of the greatest privileges of my Remarks at the Dartmouth College Presidency has been to express over the last Commencement Ceremony in year the profound gratitude of the American Hanover, New Hampshire people for the generation that won World June 11, 1995 War II. A year ago this past Tuesday, I stood on the bluffs of Normandy to say to the brave Thank you very much. President Freed- people who won a foothold for freedom man, Acting President Wright, Governor there, we are the children of your sarifice. Merrill, thank you for your warm welcome, I say again to the class of 1945: The class to my distinguished fellow honorees. I was of 1995, the generation of your grand- thinking when they were all introduced, all children, and all of us in between are the the others who won this distinction of your children of your sacrifice, and we thank you. honorary degrees, that if my blessed mother To those of you in this class, the 50 years were still alive, she would be saying, ‘‘See, that have elapsed since they sat where you Bill, they accomplished something; you’re sit today have been a very eventful time for just a politician.’’ [Laughter] I am honored this old world. It has seen the ultimate victory to be in their company, and I thank them of freedom and democracy in the cold war, all for the contribution they have made to the dominance of market economics and the the richness that is American life. development of a truly global economy, a To the board of trustees, and especially revolution in information telecommuni- to the parents and families and members of cations and technology which has changed the class of 1995: Let me begin on a very the way we live and work and opened up personal note. I always love coming to New vast new possibilities for good and for evil. Hampshire. I am delighted to be back at The challenge of your time will be to face Dartmouth, but I am especially grateful to these new realities and to make some sense be here seeing my good friend President Jim out of them in a way that is consistent with Freedman looking so very well and back here our historic values and the things that will at this graduation. make your own lives richer. The challenge I also want to thank Dartmouth for some- of your time, in short will be to redeem the thing else, for contributing to my administra- promise of this great country. tion with the Secretary of Labor, Bob Reich, Now there are unparalleled opportunities who came with me today. I understand that for those of you with a wonderful education I have caused something of an inconvenience in this global economy in this information here—[laughter]—and that we are now age. And you don’t have to worry about breaking tradition here at Memorial Field, things that your parents used to worry about
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all the time. I am very proud of the fact that II, Americans are worried that their children in the last 2 years, for the first time since will not have a better life than they enjoyed. the dawn of the nuclear age, there are no Half of all of our people are working harder Russian missiles pointed at the people of the for less than they were making 15 years ago, United States of America. And I might add, because the global economy punishes people there are no American missiles pointed at the who don’t have the skills to learn to compete people of Russia. and to win in a world that is changing daily, From the Middle East to Northern Ire- indeed, hourly. land, from South Africa to Haiti, where, as In our Nation, for the first time since the citation said, my friend Bill Gray did such World War II, we have watched over the last great work to restore democracy, we see an- decade and more, the great American middle cient conflicts giving way to peace and free- class, which is the core of our idea of Amer- dom and democracy in a genuine spirit of ica, begin to split apart along the fault line reconciliation. Hundreds of millions of peo- of education. And of course, we all know that ple now breathe the air of freedom who, less our social fabric today in this country is being than a decade ago, found it a distant dream. rent apart by what is happening to our chil- Every country in Latin America but one is dren. More and more of them are subject now a democracy. to violence and abuse. A higher and higher I am proud that our Nation could support percentage of them are born into poverty. these developments. But as all of you know, More and more of them are having children this new world is not free of difficulty, for while they’re still children. the forces of opportunity contained within Even though the overall crime rate in this them seeds of destruction. The heavy hand country has gone down, random violence of communism and dictatorships have given among children is still increasing. More and way to bloody conflicts rooted in primitive more children are spending more of their religious, ethnic, and racial hatreds from Eu- lives with one-parent families, sometimes rope to Africa. The mobility of money and trapped on welfare, but more often, far more people and the advance of technology have often, being raised by utterly exhausted par- strengthened the hand of organized crime ents who are working two or more jobs to and drug traffickers from Latin America to give their children a chance, just a chance, Asia to the former Soviet Union. And we at a good life. have all been reminded recently that none Because in the 1980’s we were unable to of us in this open, free-flowing world of ours resolve these problems, because inequality are immune from the forces of organized evil and insecurity increased, because the reali- and terrorism. ties of today and tomorrow were not ad- The possibilities of more rapid economic dressed, the American people have contin- development have posed new threats to the ued to lose faith in the ability of their Gov- global environment. Rapid changes in the ernment and sometimes, even more impor- world economy have brought vast new op- tantly, in the ability of our society to solve portunities, but they have also brought un- these problems. And perhaps the most im- certainty, stagnant incomes, and indeed, portant difficulty we face is the increasing rapid insecurities, even in the wealthiest cynicism of our own people. countries in the world. And we have seen Today in Washington we’re having a great it in ours. debate about what to do about all this, and Here at home, though we have made that’s a very good thing. On the one side, progress on our deficit and expanding our we have people who say that most of these trade and taking serious action against crime problems are personal and cultural, and if and trying to increase the ability of our coun- all of us would just straighten up and fly right try to educate our people and to welcome we wouldn’t have these problems anymore. those from around the world as so many of And of course, at a certain level that is self- you have come to find your educational op- evidently true. None of you would have a portunity here, we know that for the first diploma today if you hadn’t done the right time since this generation left in World War thing to earn it. And nothing can be done
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for anyone to get out of a tight in life unless er sense of optimism and hope than we are people are willing to do for themselves. seeing in most debate today. There is nothing But that ignores the other side of the de- wrong with this country that cannot be solved bate which is that there are plain economic by what is right with it, and you should never and social factors that are not even common forget that. to the United States, putting pressure on We have a lot of things to do here in Amer- people and taking away their hopes and ica. We have to grow our middle class again threatening their dreams. and shrink our under class and give our chil- We have a great debate about what the dren something to say yes to. We have to most important thing for our Government to strengthen our families and our communities do is. On the one side are those who say and make the idea of work more real to peo- that the Government can’t really do anything ple for whom it has become unattainable. We to solve our problems anyway, so the most have to preserve our environment and en- important thing is to balance the budget as hance our security at home and abroad. And quickly as possible without regard to the con- I would argue that we must maintain the sequences. On the other hand, there are leadership of the United States in the world those who say we have a budget deficit and as a force for peace and freedom. we ought to do something about it, but we To all those who want to withdraw, who have an education deficit as well. And when want to turn away, who want to abolish our we have so many poor children, we need to foreign assistance programs, let me remind invest in people to make sure they can live you: Look at the history of the 21st century; up to their God-given potential and that that every time America turned away from the is also important. world we wound up with a war that we had Today I want to say to you is—what I want to clean up and win at far greater costs than to say to you is, wherever you come down in all these great debates, the most important if we simply stayed involved in a responsible thing is that you should be a part of the de- manner. bate because your life will be far more af- But our most important mission today, I fected by what happens in the next 2 years would argue, is to help people make the most than my life. I have been given the oppor- of their own lives. You can come down in tunity of the American dream. I was the first many places on all these debates in Washing- person in my family ever to graduate from ton and around the country, but it is self- college. When I was a young boy growing evident that unless people in this country, up in Arkansas, one of our honorees Presi- wherever they come from, whatever their dent Overholser’s father was the Pres- race or economic standing or region, can byterian minister in my hometown. He raised make the most of their own lives, whatever one daughter to be the president of Duke, is in there—the magic inside all of us—we the other daughter to be the editor of the will not fulfill our common destiny. Des Moines Register. We came out of a place And today, more than ever before, it really that, at the end of World War II, had an does all begin with education, what we know income barely over half the national average. and what we can learn. The class of 1945 But we were fortunate enough to live saw the greatest explosion of economic op- through a time when opportunity was ex- portunity in all human history after World panding and when we were trying to come War II, in no small measure because every to grips with our racial and other problems one who participated was given the oppor- in this country. tunity to get a higher education through the And what I wish to say to you is that you GI bill. And I am absolutely convinced that are going into the time of greatest human that was one of the two or three reasons that possibility in all history, but you must address the United States of America developed the the fact that all of our forces of opportunity finest, largest, broadest, deepest system of have seeds of destruction. You must make higher learning in the entire world. And it sense and clarity out of complex problems. is still the best system in the entire world And I think you must do it with a much great- because of what happened then.
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When President Eisenhower faced the di- the things which we do not understand and lemma of the Soviets beating the United to find ways to use our knowledge to bring States into space and the fact that we had us together in ways that reinforce our com- let a lot of our educational opportunities go mon humanity. downhill—he lost a great education initiative, I want to thank Governor Merrill for his giving loans to people all across the country support here in New Hampshire for our na- and giving them good opportunities to pay tional service program, AmeriCorps, because them back. And they called it then the Na- I think it exemplifies that kind of objective. tional Defense Education Act. The idea was And I want to thank Dartmouth for partici- that even in the late fifties, education was pating in it. a part of our national security. The idea behind national service is to make I tell you that that is more important today a connection between ideas and the real than it was in 1945 and more important today world of need out there beyond ivory towers than it was in the late fifties. Men my age, of academia, to make a connection between between 45 and 55, grew up believing that earning an education and advancing the qual- when we reached this age, we’d have the se- ity of life for others who may not have it, curity of knowing we could send our children a connection to be wanting to be respected to college, we’d have a decent retirement, for who you are and what you believe and we’d be living in our own homes, if illness not demeaning or demonizing those who are came we’d be able to take care of it. We different. took these things for granted if we worked I want to say a special word of thanks to hard, obeyed the law, and paid our taxes. the medical school for the partnership in In the last 10 years, earnings of men be- health education project of the Koop Insti- tween the ages of 45 and 55 have gone down tute which sends medical students into ele- 14 percent because in the global economy, mentary schools up here in New Hampshire if you live in a wealthy country and you don’t and in Vermont to help to promote health have an education, you are in trouble. We and prevent disease among young people. cannot walk away from our obligation to in- That also is a purpose of education, building vest in the education of every American at connections, giving to others, helping to bind every age. us together. And to those who think there is no public A society is not a collection of people pur- role in that, I say: Just remember, all of those suing their individual economic, material who need those student loans, who need self-interests. It is a collection of people who those Pell grants, all the universities who believe that by working together they can benefit from the research investments, there raise better children, have stronger families, is a role for our Nation in the national edu- have more meaningful lives, and have some- cation agenda of our future, and we should thing to pass on to the generation that comes maintain it. behind. That also is the purpose of education, But let me make one other point as well. and we need it more than ever today. Education is about more than making money And so, my fellow Americans, and those and mastering technology, even in the 21st of you who will live and work here, you must century. It’s about making connections and decide, what is this new world going to be mastering the complexities of the world. It’s like? You can probably do fine, regardless. about seeing the world as it is and advancing You have a world-class education at a won- the cause of human dignity. Money without derful institution. You have the luxury of de- purpose leads to an empty life. Technology ciding: Will you devote your lives and your without compassion and wisdom and a devo- compassion and your conviction to saying tion to truth can lead to nightmares. that everybody ought to have the opportunity The sarin gas in the Japanese subway was that you had? Will you believe that there is a miracle of technology. The bomb that blew a common good and it’s worth investing a up the Federal building in Oklahoma City little of what you earned as a result of your was a miracle of technology. We have got education in? Will you believe that education to use our knowledge to become wiser about is about more than economics, that it’s also
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about civilization and character? You must Your late President, John Kemeny, who decide. Will you work for more equality and came to this country after fleeing Hungary, more opportunity? Will the information su- told the last commencement he presided perhighway be traveled by all, even poor kids over in 1981, the following: The most dan- in distant rural areas? Will they be connected gerous voice you’ll ever hear is the evil voice to the rest of the world or will the informa- of prejudice that divides black from white, tion superhighway simply give access on the man from woman, Jew from Gentile. Listen Internet to paranoids who tell you how to to the voice that says, man can live in har- make bombs? Will education lead you to lives mony. Use your very considerable talents to of service and genuine citizenship or a poli- make the world better. Then he ended the tics of hollow, reactionary rhetoric where, in speech with, as I understand, the words with the name of reducing Government, we aban- which he ended every commencement: don the public interests to the private forces Women and men of Dartmouth, all mankind of short-term gain? is your brother. And you are your brother’s Just a few days ago, at Harvard, President keeper. Do not let people divide you one Va´clav Havel of the Czech Republic said that from another. our conscience must catch up with our rea- Do not let people make you cynical. And son or all is lost. I say to you today, we are do not think for a minute that you can have having a great debate in the Nation’s Capital, a good, full life if you don’t care about what and we ought to have it. It can be a good happens to the other people who share this and healthy thing. But some things must be Nation and this planet with you. beyond debate. We are all in this together. Good luck, and God bless you. A country at the crossroads has a chance always to redeem its promise. America is the NOTE: The President spoke at 11:44 a.m. on Me- longest lasting democracy in human history morial Field. In his remarks, he referred to James because at every crossroads we have re- Freedman, president, and James Wright, acting president, Dartmouth College; Gov. Stephen deemed that promise. And you must do it Merrill of New Hampshire; and honorees Special again today. Adviser on Haiti William H. Gray III and Nannerl We’ve got a real chance to make a real Overholser Keohane, president, Duke University. life together, folks. Yes, there’s more ethnic and racial diversity in this country than in any other large country. Yes, there’s more Remarks in a Town Meeting With income differential and that’s getting worse, Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and it’s troubling. But this is still, for my in Claremont, New Hampshire money, the country that’s the best bet to June 11, 1995 keep alive hope and decency and opportunity for all different kinds of people well into the The President. Thank you very much. next century. Thank you. Thank you very much, Lou. Mr. I’ve had the privilege of representing you Speaker, Governor, Mayor Lizott, Congress- all over the world, and I think all the time, man Bass, Mrs. Gingrich, Mrs. Zeliff, to every day, about what it’s going to be like Sandy Osgood and to the Stevens High in 20 or 30 or 40 or 50 years, when you come School Band, thank you very much for keep- back here for that remarkable reunion that ing everybody entertained while I got away they’re celebrating today. And I am telling from Dartmouth and got over here. you, if you will simply use what you have I am delighted to be back in Claremont been given in your lives, from God and the again. I have spent some happy days here. people who have helped you along the way, And I was invited to come here, as you know, to rebuild this country and to bring it back when you folks found out—I think it was ac- together and not to let us be divided by all tually Lou’s idea; he found out I was going these forces, to lift up these forces of oppor- to be at Dartmouth giving the speech. And tunity and to stamp out the seeds of destruc- then I was interviewed, and someone said, tion, you still are at the moment of greatest ‘‘Well, the Speaker is going to be here for possibility in all human history. the whole weekend, what advice would you
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give him?’’ And I said, ‘‘Well, I’d give him the antiterrorism legislation that the Speaker two pieces of advice. I think he ought to— will take up when the Congress meets again if he’s going to be in Concord, he ought to starting tomorrow. go down to Mary Hill’s Grocery Store and Now, we have a lot of differences, and per- talk to her because she’s a wise woman. And haps these differences will come out. But we he ought to do one of these little town meet- also have some areas in which we can work ings like I do from time to time.’’ And so together. I think the most important thing he called me, and he said, ‘‘I accept.’’ is that we try to identify clearly the places [Laughter] where we disagree but then make our best So that’s how you became transformed effort, our dead-level best effort, to work to- into this. I’m going to talk for a couple of gether to move this country forward. minutes; he’s going to talk for a couple of It seems to me that a lot of our problems minutes. Then we’re going to spend most of are not particularly partisan in nature. We our time just answering your questions. But do have—for example, as I have said from let me be very brief and say that when I came the day I became President, we cannot afford here in 1992, I was running because I not to do something about the fact that Medi- thought we ought to change the direction of care and Medicaid costs have risen at much the country. I thought that we were in danger more rapid rates than Government revenues of losing our standard of living and that we are going up, so that every year we spend were coming apart when we ought to be more and more on Medicare and Medicaid, coming together. I was worried about the de- which means we have to either spend less cline in middle class incomes, the growth of on something else or explode the deficit. But the under class, the high unemployment rate I think how we do it and how long we take at the time, an exploding deficit, a declining to do it and the manner in which we do it level of investment. I was also worried very is critical. much about the breakdown of our families, the number of children growing up in pov- So we need to discuss these things in an erty, and the whole breakdown of a lot of open way. And one of the things that I like the social factors that are very important to about New Hampshire that I don’t like about all of us and made us what we are. modern politics, generally, because it’s so dif- I said then, and I will reiterate today that ferent, is that when I was running here in I thought what we needed then—I still be- ’92, I really felt that most people were mak- lieve what we need—is an economic strategy ing their decisions abased on encounters like that focuses on creating jobs and raising in- this rather than 30-second television ads or comes, a social strategy that rewards work some blurb that comes across the airwaves and family, in terms of welfare reform and where one politician is hitting another one everything else we do, it reinforces respon- and trying to use some emotional issue to sible child-rearing and responsible work, that divide the American people instead of to we ought to do it in a way that reduces the bring them together. I think that is what you size of the Government and reduces the bu- have done for Presidential politics, which is reaucratic burden of the Government but why I hope you’ll always be able to have this kept the Government on the side of ordinary first-in-the-Nation primary for both parties, Americans. so we’ll all have to go through this process Now, what I tried to do is follow policies of getting to know each other. from whether it was reducing the deficit, ex- So having said that, I’d like to now bring panding trade, increasing investment in edu- the Speaker on, let him say a word or two, cation, promoting welfare reform, things that and then we’ll get on with your questions. would help people to make the most of their Mr. Speaker. own lives. I’ve also tried to do things I Speaker Gingrich. Let me say—let me thought would increase security for Amer- say, first of all, that I am delighted to be here, ican people, whether it was the Family and and I appreciate very, very much—I appre- Medical Leave Act or the crime bill or the ciate very much the opportunity to be here. things we’ve tried to do in foreign policy or And I want to thank both Lou Gendron, and
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I want to thank the President for having been or 20-second or clever advertisements or any willing to allow me to come over. of that stuff. And I just want to say one thing about where we are that I think all of you [At this point, there was a disturbance in the can identify with. I called my Mom a while audience.] ago, and I called my mother-in-law, and said, I think despite this particular gentleman, I ‘‘Gee, I’m here now, and what should I do?’’ think that the tradition of New Hampshire and all that. And I also talked to my two for town hall meetings is exactly the right daughters. We have all three generations in- sort of thing to do. volved now in this discussion. Now, let me just say, if I might, that I But let me tell you what I really honestly am delighted to be here and that you ought believe—and I think this is pretty close to to know this is a historic moment. The Presi- the President’s—most of you lived through dent visiting you, as we are told—the first the Depression, and it was hard. And you time since, I believe, Calvin Coolidge came saved freedom in World War II. And you here in the 1920’s, that a President has vis- saved freedom in Korea. And you paid the ited, although, of course, many candidates taxes. And you worked at the jobs to help have been here in the primaries. And I be- win the cold war. And you raised your chil- lieve in all of American history there has dren, and you wanted them to live in a better never been a town hall meeting where a country. And now, you’re helping raise your President and a Speaker have been there at grandchildren. the same time. So literally, the city of Clare- And I believe all Americans can be told mont is setting history today. the truth and can actually watch their leaders Marianne and I are delighted to be here have honest, open disagreements and can with Congressman Bass and Mrs. Zeliff and talk things out, and we can find common so- with Governor Merrill. But I wanted to say lutions. And I believe this process, working two things that have happened to me today with the President, with the House and the that are classically New Hampshire. One I Senate, with the Governors. I believe we can did on my own, and one the President rec- get to a balanced budget in a positive way. ommended. I believe we can save Medicare, and it will First of all, we got up very early this morn- not go broke, despite the trustees’ report. I ing, and I want to report that we did see believe we can create a better future for our four moose, and one of them was a huge bull children and grandchildren. But it’s got to that stood in the middle of the road and be done exactly like here today. stared until every single photographer who So I hope with your permission, the Presi- was with me could get their picture. [Laugh- dent and I will now have a dialog with you, ter] The other was, I have to report, Mr. and maybe the country can learn a little bit President, I broke down. We stopped at the about working together, not just buying com- Dunkin Donuts in Berlin this morning after mercials and attacking each other. seeing the moose, and this is why you’ve done Thank you for letting me be here. better with your figure than I have with The President. Who would like to go mine. [Laughter] I failed. But I followed his first? Who’s got a question? Yes, sir. advice. Lobby and Health Care Reform Let me say also to the band—I had a chance to listen a while ago. I thought you [At this point, a participant asked if a biparti- set exactly the right tone and exactly the right san commission could be formed to help solve mood. I am grateful that you all would allow problems with lobby reform.] me to come and join the President. I hope The President. Well, I would certainly be today we can talk in a positive way about the open to that. Let me back up and say one positive things we Americans need to do. of the differences we have—let’s talk about And I agree with the President. The New one of the differences we have about this— Hampshire tradition of this kind of a discus- no one seriously believes that the budget can sion where we can sit, you can ask questions, be balanced unless we can reduce the rate we can both talk, and we’re not in 9-second of increase in Medicare and Medicaid costs.
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We agree on that. We disagree on how much an issue that’s very interesting. If I under- we have to reduce it and how it ought to stood, sir, you’re suggesting that when this be done. whole issue of lobbyists and campaign fi- I also believe that it would be far better nance and, you know, we have this whole if we could do it in the context of health care issue about gifts in the Congress, which I’m, reform so that, for example, for seniors, we frankly, very uncomfortable with—I mean, I would provide some incentives for less ex- just—I don’t know how all of you would feel, pensive but more widely available long-term but when you come down to talking about care short of nursing homes. We would have yourself, it’s very tricky sometimes. And I more emphasis on preventive care, because think you were suggesting—I’ve never heard one of the big problems with Medicare is— this proposed before—that maybe if we had there are three issues here: What is the medi- sort of a blue-ribbon commission of people cal rate of inflation, and can we get it down that really had respect and integrity, that to the overall rate of inflation? You know, would look at the whole lobbying political health care costs have been going up more process—— than medical costs—regular costs. The sec- The President. Is that what you—I ond issue is how many new folks are coming thought you were talking about health care on to Medicare every year. The third issue reform. is how much more will the same people use Speaker Gingrich. No, no—— the system because people are living longer The President. You want to do it on lobby and longer, and the longer you live, the more reform? In a heartbeat. I accept. Because, you need to use it. otherwise—otherwise, in this—we cannot And all these things are at the core of what pass lobby reform or campaign finance re- we have to work out about how much we form or anything else. I would love to have try to control the spending. It may be that a bipartisan commission on it. It’s our only the only way to do that is in the context of chance to get anything passed. I accept. some sort of base closing commission, like Speaker Gingrich. Let’s shake hands you say. But I think we have to tell them right here in front of everybody. How’s that? what their mission is. That is, it seems to me Is that a pretty good deal? that the mission can’t just be to save money. The President. I accept. It has to be not only to stabilize the Medicare Speaker Gingrich. I’ll tell you, if every fund over the long run but to do it in a way question is this productive—now, can I just that doesn’t force retirees without the means take one minute, Mr. President, and talk to do it to shoulder much bigger increases about the Medicare thing? I do think the for their own health care or run the risk of President put his finger on something here having professionals jump out of the health where I think we analyze it slightly different, care system. but we both have the same commitment. And Now, that is what my problem is. I just let me say, because I did talk both to my think that—we have to be very careful about mother-in-law and my mother today, I can this. We’ve worked hard to bring down the report that I’m checking in pretty much with cost increases. But to get much—to go lower, people who are immediately concerned we’re going to have to have structural about Medicare. changes that provide for real options and There are two differences. One is, I agree quality of health care, in my opinion. Without with the President that there are a number health care reform, I don’t think you can go of things that have to be changed about dramatically lower. health care in America. For example, I be- Speaker Gingrich. Let me just ask first, lieve if you’re in the insurance system, we I—let me stop and please applaud. I think ought to guarantee tomorrow morning that this is—to have the President here is a good you have portability that you can change in- thing. surance and change jobs and there are no Let me—I think you were saying some- preconditions. And I feel this personally be- thing a little different. I’ll talk about Medi- cause my older daughter has a precondition, care in a second. But I think you were raising and she’s been through a period where she
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had to spend a whole year in vulnerability $44 billion a year in waste and fraud in both without any insurance. Medicare and Medicaid combined. So I think step by step—I think where we So I’m just suggesting, if we can work to- disagreed strategically is, I think you can do gether and get the Senate with us, we can, those one building block at a time and get by the end of the summer, keep the current them through and get them signed. I think system and offer four or five options and it’s very hard as a practical matter to get a move towards a system where you become big comprehensive bill through because it a customer and you’re making the choice for seems to break down of its own weight. you about which one you like. And if you Now, specifically on Medicare. I hope this prefer the current system, you get to keep summer that we’ll be able to work with the it. That’s your choice. President and with his Cabinet. We’re going The President. Here’s what my concerns to propose a plan in general terms that takes are. Will I work with them and try to work current spending, which is $4,800 a year per this out? Absolutely. But here’s what my con- senior citizen and moves it up over the 7 cerns are. It sounds like a lot to increase years of the budget to $6,400 per senior citi- something by one-third over 7 years. But zen. That takes into account additional peo- that’s about 4 percent a year. And this last ple. But it will be a $1,600 or 33 percent year we had medical inflation at about 41⁄2 increase. That’s less than the current projec- percent, and that was good. We don’t know tions. I’m not going to try to kid anybody. whether it will stay that way, and the problem But it is an increase. is that the Medicare population is going to And what we’re trying to do right now is get older and older. And as they get older, find a way, first of all, to guarantee that ev- people use the system more. So I don’t know eryone who wants the current Medicare can that we can keep it to 4 percent a year. keep it. And it may—you may have some in- The Republican in the Senate, Senator crease in the amount you pay much along Packwood, with the major responsibility for the line you had in the last 6 or 7 years. But this says that we can stabilize the financial you can keep the current system. Nobody’s fund of Medicare with savings at about half going to be forced to change. Nobody has the level proposed in the Speaker’s budget. to leave. It’s not really his budget, but—well, it is now. But at the same time, I’m hoping that They passed it. And I would prefer not to working with the President and his adminis- say right now we’re going to cut at a level tration, we can find five or six additional op- greater than I believe we have to in ways tions: Managed care for those who want it. that I think will certainly require a lot of peo- In some counties a lot do; in other counties ple who cannot afford it to pay more until very few people do. Medical savings ac- we have explored all other alternatives, be- counts, which is a new idea that lets people cause I believe we can get there without have savings which could then be applied to doing this. long-term care, for example. A voucher sys- And as you know, I believe—let me say, tem, which some big companies are now there are going to have to be some changes. using which is very effective where you can We cannot leave the system the way it is. go to any doctor you want and we pay directly We can’t pretend that just because we’re at to the doctor of your choice, your control. a senior center that there will be no changes. And finally, something which I think we’ll There have to be some changes. But I think get overwhelming support for—if you look these reductions from the projected levels of at your bills and you see waste or fraud, I’d spending I think are too severe, and what like us to work in a system so if you spot I favor is having a smaller tax cut and a small- it and you report it, you get a percentage er Medicare reduction and Medicaid reduc- of the savings so every senior citizen in the tion. And then let’s see how much we can country has a good, sound reason to check save year by year because we have not tried on waste and fraud to help us get that out a lot of these things. of the system, because there’s a General Ac- He and I both, for example—I really be- counting Office report that says there’s about lieve you ought to have incentives to join
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managed care plans. I don’t think anybody but I started thinking about when the baby ought to make you do it; I just think you boomers start to retire, the weight of the cur- ought to have incentives to do it. Out West, rent system financially is so enormous— I know, there’s one managed care plan for and we’ve seen some numbers— Medicare that offers people the right to get $3,500,000,000,000 a year would be the cost into Medicare for 95 percent of what the per- of Medicare alone, not counting Social Secu- person cost is, and they give them a prescrip- rity. tion drug benefit along with health care and And so, part of what I hope we can do still make money. is set up a second commission—to go back I think you should have the right—I think, to this gentleman’s idea—and this would be you know, people ought to be able to try to a commission that would look out beyond talk you into doing that, that that ought to saving Medicare in the short run and start be an option—not a requirement. If you want to talk now about what do we need to do to stay in the program, I think you ought to for the baby boomers in their retirement be able to stay in the program. years and their health care. Because frankly, The way it works now is, you don’t pay that makes everything we’re worried about— for part A, but you do pay more, as you said, the folks who replace us 20 years from now by about the rate of inflation for the doctor are going to have a much bigger challenge bills and things like that. So that’s where I than we have in figuring out how the baby would start these negotiations. I’d say, let’s boomers retire and what happens with them. cut it as little as possible until we know how But I think that’s something we could much we can save because if we lock our- probably work on in a positive way together. selves into a tax cut and we lock ourselves into other spending, then we’ll wind up just The President. Let me just, again, reem- not funding it, even if we wind up hurting phasize two or three points. I, in general, am people. And I don’t think we ought to do going to agree with that. We need to focus that. I have no problem with all these experi- on some things we know right now will work. ments, but let’s know what we’re going to We know we could save money long-term do. in the system if there were other options for Speaker Gingrich. Can I make one other long-term care in addition to nursing homes. comment? I’ll just make one quick comment, There will always be people who need to be and then we’ll go back to a question here. in nursing homes. But let me just say, I think in spirit we’re But there should be other options. Today not that far apart. The thing that is driving there aren’t any. And you’ve got all kinds of us is that the trustees reported that Medicare middle class families where the parents have will go broke by 2002. It starts to lose money to spend down all their assets to qualify for next year and it literally runs—this is part Medicaid to get into a nursing home because A. This the hospital part. And all of you— there’s nothing else they can do. So we wind folks who may be watching may not get it. up cutting off our nose to spite our face, you But every person in this room understands know. In order to keep the family from going part A, or every person in this plaza under- broke, the Government winds up paying stands part A. more than might otherwise be necessary. We start first with two big steps here. And But to be fair, we don’t know how to cost then I think we can talk about exactly how that out. We ought to get more people the we make the transition. One is, how do we option of going into a managed care program. save it for your generation? And that’s very, If somebody says for the same price you’re very important. And we have to—and the paying now, we could also give you a pre- earlier we can take some changes, the easier scription drug benefit, but you’d lose a few it’s going to be to make that transition by options on who your doctors were, then you 2002. should decide whether you want to do that But I must tell you—I become 52 this or not. You could decide. We ought to do coming week. And I’m older than he is, and that. We ought to do more wellness and pre- you can see where the gray hair up here— vention planning.
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My only fear is that we should be very a day if you work at it. In the Senate, if you careful about how we plan the budgets over have one or two Senators who don’t like the next 5 or 6 or 7 years. When I became something, it takes forever. President, the Medicare trust fund was pro- Now, I don’t think the Arkansas legisla- jected to go broke in 1999. So we pushed ture, back when the President was Governor, it back to 2002. I think we have to push it quite had a Senate that had that kind of back another 4 or 5 years. We’ve got to keep power. I think it was—you know, this fili- doing that. But I agree with—one thing the buster—so Senator Dole appealed to the Speaker said I absolutely agree with—when President, and the President, frankly, rose to you think about what the baby boomers re- the occasion, worked out a bipartisan agree- quire, which is, what, 2019 or 11 or whenever ment and, I think, dramatically changed the it was, I’m trying to push it—whenever I get tone of that antiterrorism debate and helped that age—[laughter]—that’s going to require us get something through that was very, very a significant long-term structural adjustment. positive. We’ll have to look at what we can do there. So I think there are steps like this. I But the main thing we can’t do—we can’t hope—I reacted positively the other day have this thing go broke in the meanwhile. when the President said he was going to have And I’m just telling you that less drastic pro- a budget proposal. We’re in conference now. cedures in my judgment can keep it from But frankly, if they do submit something this going broke if we make some other changes week or next week, we’re not—I mean, we’re in our overall budgeting, without undermin- going to take—we’re going to sit down and ing our ability to balance the budget. look at it all. I think this summer we ought Who’s got another question? to work on Medicare together. We shouldn’t Congress have a Republican plan and a Democratic plan. [A participant asked Speaker Gingrich when In the House we’ve tried that. We had Congress is going to stop playing special in- Mike Parker, who’s a Democrat, who met terests and partisan politics and start work- with our budget committee members all ing together for the good of the country.] through the budget. We had some Demo- Speaker Gingrich. I think that’s a very crats, not a lot, but some, who voted with good question. It’s partly, of course, an- us on the budget. In the Senate, Senator swered by this gentleman, who I think has Kerrey from the entitlement commission and a great idea. You now have us publicly in Senator Nunn and one other Senator voted front of you and all these reporters saying for the budget. we’re going to work together—and I hope But we ought to—when we can, we ought we can develop a blue-ribbon commission to pick up on what you said. It’s very hard, pretty fast, because that’s a part of it. though, for a practical reason. The Founding Part of it is why I said I was glad the Presi- Fathers designed the Congress to be where dent suggested this and then agreed to do everybody sends their representative. And it. I think just having your leaders chat rather it’s the place where everybody shows up with than fight is a good thing. I think—it sets their ideas. And I’ll tell you, some days, even a different tone. with the best of will—Congressman Gep- Now, I want to commend the President. hardt, for example, and his wife, Jane, are He sent up some very important good friends to Marianne and me—even with antiterrorism legislation. We had a meeting the best of will, you find yourself some days of all the Republican and Democratic leaders wondering how did you get into the particu- with him. We talked about it right after the lar mess you’re in. Oklahoma City bombing. It then got bogged And the Founding Fathers wanted an down in both Houses, frankly, more than it arena in the House and Senate to fight out should have. Senator Dole then made an ap- our passions instead of having a civil war. peal to the President because the Senate They wanted us to send everybody from has—see, in the House you have very strict every part of the country. And their idea was rules, and you can get something through in that they wanted a system so inefficient that
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no dictator could force it to work. Now, the You have to send a different signal. You problem with that is—— have to send a different signal. You have to The President. They sure did that. make people believe they can take com- Speaker Gingrich. I was going to say, plicated positions, explain them to you, and they succeeded. We can barely get it together if you think that makes sense, you’ll stick with voluntarily. So, Mr. President—— them. And if you do that, I think you can The President. Let me say, I think there change the way politics work in America. are a couple of things we need to try to be Speaker Gingrich. Can I make one quick candid about. One is my great frustrations story before I take another question, because since I’ve been President is that—I have a it is so much what he just said, and I, actually, line that I sometimes say in speeches; I’ll just I wrote it it in a book, it was so vivid to me. tell you, I was in Montana the other day, and I’ll get to—you’re going to love this. No, I said, ‘‘Shoot, if all I knew about me was you’re going to love this. what I saw on the evening news, I wouldn’t The President. Senator Dole hasn’t given be for me half the time either.’’ [Laughter] me permission to read that book yet. [Laugh- I mean, the truth is that it is so difficult for ter] Speaker Gingrich. us in Washington to communicate with peo- Well, I thought I’d get you a copy soon. ple out in the country, with all of the layers The President. That’s good. between us, that what often is the only way Speaker Gingrich. But let me tell you, to break through is some fairly extreme state- because it was so vivid and it makes the Presi- ment. dent’s point. We had a meeting, you’ll re- The Speaker is real good at that; he can member well, where Dick Armey and I were break through like nobody I’ve seen in a long down there and the whole brand new leader- time. [Laughter] But it will get covered. He ship after the election. And obviously, the can break through. President wasn’t all that thrilled to have the The easy way for—let’s take this Medicare Republicans win the election. And we under- debate. The easiest way for us to break stood that, and heck, we wouldn’t have through is for him to say, they want to fix been—you know, I wasn’t all that thrilled, the trust fund and the Democrats have no frankly, to have George Bush lose that last plan, and for me to say, he cuts Medicare one, so we understood his feelings. We had too much and it will cost you a lot. Now, a great meeting. It was a meeting that I al- the truth is we both believe that, but it’s more most could have been on C–Span because complicated than that. And the problem we the country wouldn’t have believed—we have is that in a difficult time like this, where talked about line-item veto, which is cur- we’re moving into a whole new era, there rently a little bit bogged down, but we’ll get very often are not simple answers to complex to it. problems but simple answers very often The President. Give it back to me. move the electorate. [Laughter] So if you don’t want that, if you want a Speaker Gingrich. We talked about un- reasoned debate, and you really want to say funded mandate reform, which he signed to the Republicans and Democrats, look, get very early. We talked about passing the together and do something that is good for Shay’s Act to apply the law to the Congress the country and put party aside, then out that applies to us, which he signed very early. here in the country, when the Congressmen We had things going on that were positive. and the Senators come home on the week- Dick Armey and I walked out front—we’re ends, you need to tell them that. And you in the White House, in front of the White need to say it over and over and over again: House drive there. We say to the White ‘‘We will stay with you. We will not be House press corps, ‘‘We had a great, positive spooked by this or that lunge in one direction meeting. We’re going to be able to work a or the other. We’ll give you 4, 5, or 6 months lot more than people think.’’ And we began to try to work through this budget, and that’s to list these things. The second question we what we expect you to do. were asked: ‘‘What do you think it will break
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down over?’’ And both of us got mad. He’s my phone calls or my visits. We’ve tried in right; I get too hot sometimes. So I just said the House to stop some things that would to the reporter, I said, ‘‘You just heard the have been very destructive. And I’ve tried leaders of the Republican Party say that the in public, and I’ve learned a fair amount in Democratic President today had had a won- the last 6 months, that a Speaker—it’s very derful meeting on behalf of America; we’re important for me to be careful and to be trying to work together. Couldn’t you try for modulated on a number of foreign policy is- 24 hours to have a positive, optimistic mes- sues. And while we can tangle on domestic sage as though it might work?’’ It’s a true politics, there really is a great lesson to be story, and he did it. It was a great meeting learned from Arthur Vandenburg in World that he called. War II. The President. The trick is, in a funny But let me tell you the two things I think way, is not to hide the differences, but to where maybe you and I just disagree. And get them out in a way that—where those of I hope you won’t mind my being direct. First, us on opposite sides can understand the oth- I don’t think the last 50 years the peace was er’s opinion. Like there’s a way to make an kept by the United Nations. Over the last argument, to get the maximum amount of 50 years, the peace was kept because the votes out of it in the shortest amount of time United States of America spent a lot of through emotion, and there’s a way to make money and sent its young men and women the same argument so that you’re opponent all over the planet. And we were the strong- at least understands your position. And I bet est military power in history. And we built it’s the same way here around a gaming table an alliance called NATO. And we took enor- or anything else. There’s two ways to talk to mous risks. And our children—my father people when you’ve got a difference of opin- fought in Korea and Vietnam. We’re now ion. risking our children in Bosnia, in Iraq, in a More than half the time in this country— whole range of—in Haiti, where the Presi- this is an interesting little historical fact— dent, frankly, has so far—and I hope it works more than half of the Presidents who have out perfectly—has so far had a much better served have had the Congress in the hands policy than I thought he would. It worked of the opposite party at least one, if not both, better than I thought it would. And he de- Houses. Now, that’s what—the voters seem serves to be commended for, I think, having to think that’s a good idea, and they keep taken some risk in Haiti. doing it. So we have to try to figure out how But first, I will say to you—first, I believe to make it work. we have to recognize that what won the cold Who’s got—yes. Mr. Peabody, you’re look- war and what kept the peace was America’s ing good in your Navy cap. willingness to lead. And that nothing—you’re United Nations Future Role wearing a Navy cap—if my choice is three U.N. Secretary-Generals or one aircraft car- [A veteran voiced his concern about proposed rier, I can tell you which one I prefer to keep legislation that, if passed, would alter the the peace in a dangerous world. United Nations successful role in peacekeep- But I want to say, secondly, about the ing efforts.] U.N., because I’m a big fan of Franklin Roo- Speaker Gingrich. Let me say, first of sevelt’s. I’m, frankly, a fan of Woodrow Wil- all—and I appreciate very much your com- son’s. And I think what they were trying to ment about the two of us being here. And accomplish was terribly important. I think we I hope you’re right. have to revisit the United Nations current Let me say, first of all, on a lot of foreign structure. I mentioned this to the National policy issues, we work very closely together. Security Adviser the other day. And we have tried very hard on Russia, on The U.N. current system of command and the Middle East, on a whole range of areas control is a nightmare. And anybody any- to be very supportive. The President and his where in the military—and the President senior advisers have always been open in knows this, because he gets briefed on it— briefing me and have always been open to any of our military who looks at what’s been
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happening in Bosnia just wants to cry. You in—it made a real contribution in Cambodia. don’t send in the military to be hostages; you It’s made a contribution elsewhere. send in the military to rescue hostages. And The problem in Bosnia—let’s just talk the U.N. system—I’m willing to take the about that—is that great countries, France, U.N. system seriously enough to actually en- Britain, the Netherlands, Ukraine, sent their courage our Government to take the lead in soldiers there to be the U.N. peacekeeping reforming the current peacekeeping system, force under terms of engagement that the because if it’s not reformed, it’s going to col- United States could never agree to because lapse and become a joke, and you’ll see they basically agreed until just this last inci- NATO replace it in Bosnia in the not-very- dent that they—the Serbs could, in effect, distant future. And I take it very seriously. take them hostage, and they wouldn’t fight Over the long run, Churchill once said, back. And we could never agree to that. ‘‘Jaw, jaw, jaw is better than war, war, war.’’ Now, having said that, it’s still true that And I think Churchill was right. But to get 130,000 people died in Bosnia, civilians, in there, we have to be strong; we have to lead 1992, and under 3,000 died there last year. our allies; and together, I think, we have to And a lot of us made contributions to that. learn the lessons of what doesn’t work in the So sometimes, as bad and as ragged as it is, U.N. And my hunch is, frankly, if this bill the U.N. is better than nothing. And I think is going to ever become law, there’s going it is our forum. to be some fairly intense negotiating between And a lot of good things have happened Senator Dole and myself and the President, in the U.N. We have been able to pursue because otherwise he’s going to veto it, and our nonproliferation agenda. We’ve been we won’t have the votes to override him. So able to pursue our action to reinforce what I think we’re not—you’re not going to nec- we’re trying to do with North Korea to keep essarily see exactly the bill that’s currently them from becoming a nuclear power. We’ve there. been able to do a lot of good things. The President. Let me just say very brief- And I think we should look for ways to ly, I agree that the United Nations didn’t strengthen the U.N., not weaken it because keep all the peace in the last 50 years. What I agree with him and what he said—if it is I think is that the end of the cold war gives weak and if it fails, it will all come back on us the opportunity to have the U.N. fulfill the shoulders of the United States and an- its promise. And the United States has had, other generation of young Americans will before me and during my administration, se- have their necks on the line if we fail to have rious disputes with the U.N. about the way an effective, strong United Nations, which it’s managed and the way certain crises are is why I think we should support it and make handled. it work. Now having said that, I disagree with the foreign affairs bill going through because it Minimum Wage ties the President’s hands in too many ways. A participant asked if the current minimum I disagree—I’ll say something that’s unpopu- [ wage rate of $4.50 is too high. lar here—I disagree with all the cuts in for- ] eign aid in the budget. Most people believe The President. No, I’m for raising it. You that we’re spending 10, 15 percent of your know I am. tax money on foreign aid. We’re actually Speaker Gingrich. Let me say that I think spending about a penny and a half. We’re that I’d like to see every American make as spending a smaller percentage of our budget much as they can possibly make. But I also on foreign aid than any advanced country in am concerned—no, I don’t think it’s too the world. And yet, you’d be amazed how much. I’m very concerned, however—there’s far a little bit of money from the United a disagreement among economists about this. States goes in stabilizing democracy all over I’m very concerned that if you raise the cost the world. of the first job for the poorest person, for For the United Nations, a lot of—some example, in the inner city, that what you tend of their peacekeeping has worked. It worked to do is increase black, male, teenage unem-
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ployment which is exactly the thing you don’t And there are other ways to deal with this want to do. market problem. I know Barbara Jordan, a And so my goal is to have a rapidly growing former colleague of yours, headed a commis- economy where, frankly, wages keep going sion for me on immigration. She’s rec- up because people are better educated, more ommended a modest decline in the immigra- productive, and can compete in the world tion quota every year. And I think Senator market. And we’ve been telling the Russians Simpson, the Republican Senator from Wyo- and the Ukraines and the Poles and the Hun- ming, has recommended the same thing. If garians that the free market works and you’ve you did that, you might have exactly—you got to get out in a free market and you’ve might still, therefore, have exactly the same got to compete in a world market. demands for low-skilled people who are al- And my concern is just that as you go ready in the United States and you wouldn’t, through this transition that if we raise the therefore, be any net out even if you did raise minimum wage—and, again, you get econo- the minimum wage. mists on both sides of this argument. But the I just think it is—the people I guess I ad- group we—we don’t hurt anybody who’s an mire most in this country are the people that industrial plant that’s doing well. We don’t get up every day and work their—themselves hurt anybody who’s already working for the to death for the minimum wage or just a little Government. But if you are the marginal em- bit above it—— Speaker Gingrich. ployee and you’re out there, you are the first Note that editing, I might point out. That was very well done. laid off, and that makes it harder for Hispanic [Laughter] and black teenagers to get decent jobs. And The President. Self-editing. And they we already have too much unemployment come home, and they’re dog-tired at night and too much long-term lack of job skills and they’re raising their kids and they don’t among minority teenagers. But I think that’s have enough money to live on. And they a legitimate disagreement probably between don’t break the law. They don’t cheat on their the two of us. taxes. They don’t do anything wrong, and it’s The President. Let me just tell you what all they can do to keep body and soul to- the contrary view is, what my view is. And gether. And I guess, my instinct is that you it is true that there are economic studies that get way more good than harm out of it. And say if you raise the minimum wage, you raise I believe, if you go back to when they did incomes for people who are at the minimum it when—the last time it was done was, when, wage and a little above it, too, who get ’89 or something, I think, on balance, we did bumped up, but it costs some jobs. There fine as a result of doing it. And I think we are other studies that say it doesn’t cost any should do it again. jobs because, for example, people on welfare Speaker Gingrich. Can I add one more or out of the work force will think it’s more comment? Let me add one more comment worth their while to come in and compete because I think he’s making a point here for those jobs and they’ll want to work more. that’s very important in thinking about the The reason that I am for it is that I believe totality when you mentioned immigration. that—first of all, I know that a significant I think, in addition to the recommenda- percentage of people on the minimum wage tions of the commission—which I think was are women workers raising their kids on their a very important thing to do and I think that own. And I just believe that we shouldn’t Barbara Jordan was a superb person to head allow—if we don’t raise the minimum wage it up—I think we’ve got to look very seriously this year, then next year, after you adjust for at illegal immigration because I can tell you, inflation, it will be at a 40-year low. And my even in north Georgia, we now have a very idea is that we ought to be trying to create large number of illegal immigrants working, a high-wage, high-growth economy and that for example, in the chicken industry. And it is as little regulated as possible. But this is is on the verge of getting out of control all a minor amount of regulation on the bottom over this country. And so even if we were end. to close down legal immigration or slow it
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down, if the illegal immigration just keeps into more workplaces and find people who pouring in, the effect of driving out American are taking jobs away from Americans illegally. workers is devastating. And I think that’s important. Second, I think we have to have welfare On welfare reform—we don’t have time reform that reemphasizes work, which is part to debate that today. We agree on the ends. of why we, frankly, want to get it back to We have big disagreements about the means. the Governors and have Governor Merrill But I’ve given 29 of the 50 States permission working on welfare reform, to reestablish to get out from under all the Federal rules work because if it costs you—in New York and to do things like take food stamp and City, if you lose money going to work at mini- welfare checks and give it to employers as mum wage, then even when you raise the a wage supplement and let employers then minimum wage, you can’t afford to go to hire somebody off welfare and use the wel- work. fare check to cut the employers’ cost to put And so—and the President, again—he the people to work instead. And I think that’s campaigned on replacing welfare as you good. know it. And he’s committed to welfare re- A participant who was once a VISTA volun- form that gets us in that direction. [ teer voiced her support for the AmeriCorps The last thing, I guess, I’d like to say— program and asked the President and Speak- and I don’t actually know where you are on er Gingrich to comment. this right now. I believe we both have to have ] much more adult education. I have suggested Speaker Gingrich. Sure. Let me say this we tie, for example, unemployment com- is an area where I think the President has pensation to training so that people, when a good idea, but we disagree, I think, about they’re not on a job, are learning. If we’re philosophy of Government and about setting giving them money, they’re actually getting priorities. But it’s not a bad idea. I don’t think trained and learning much more like the AmeriCorps in any way is a bad thing. And Swedish and German model. I—since I want to go first, I am confident And part of the reason we proposed the that he will tell you vividly how good an idea $500-per-child tax credit is because the day it is. you go to work, you start paying Social Secu- But I have two concerns that I think are rity FICA taxes. It is very regressive on the a different direction, philosophically. One is poorest workers. And the mothers that the that I believe—and we have people like Con- President has just referred to who may have, gressman Kolbe and Congressman say, two or three children, who are working Knollenberg who are developing a bill that at minimum wage, if they could get $1,000 would give a every taxpayer a tax credit to or $1,500 back from their Government in a give the money directly to charities so that child tax credit, we think that helps that charities could do it directly. I believe we mother take care of those children. want to have less Washington-based bureauc- It’s a different approach. But again, it’s a racy and fewer decisions made in Washing- way of trying to get more cash into those ton. And we want to strengthen the private pockets. And I agree with the President. We charities. have got a find a way to get—I think it’s now So if you said to me tomorrow morning 40 percent of our children are in poverty— would I rather strengthen AmeriCorps or the we have got to find a way to raise our chil- Salvation Army, the truth is—and I happen dren and get those children out of poverty. to agree with a book by Marvin Elasky called The President. On illegal immigration— the ‘‘Tragedy of American Compassion,’’ we’ve increased by about 40 percent the where he argues that the kind of trans- number of border guards we’ve got, and formation that you can get from 100 Black we’re sending illegal immigrants back more Men or from Habitat for Humanity—who’s rapidly than ever before, especially if they pin I’m wearing—the kind of groups that come in contact with the criminal justice sys- aren’t restricted by legitimate Government tem. What we need—and maybe we can restrictions but are able to go in in a much work together on this—is the capacity to go more spiritual basis and a much more di-
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rected basis and help people change, you get funded by Washington and there’s a general a stronger, healthier society by getting it to- policy group in Washington or a board— tally out of Government. That’s a difference Governor Merrill can tell you from what they of philosophy about the size of Government. have here in New Hampshire—it is very— There’s a second difference. If we’re going there is very little bureaucracy. People com- to balance the budget, I think this is a time peted for the money. If your project got the to be very tough-minded about priorities. money, you just kept it. There’s almost—very Now, the President lists this as one of his few reporting requirements and no rules and highest priorities and is fighting very ably for regulations from the Federal Government. it and is going to, frankly, keep it. If we can But with 20,000 people in AmeriCorps, get to a signable rescission bill, it’s going to which is what we had this year, we have more contain—it’s going to keep AmeriCorps, and people doing that than were ever in the that’s the power of the Presidency. I would Peace Corps in any given year. just suggest that when you sit down and look And the other day I was down in Dallas, at what it takes to balance the budget over just for example, where a retired African- 7 years or 10 years, it’s hard. And if you’re American general supervises our setting priorities about which programs to AmeriCorps program. And I saw four volun- keep and which not, you can have a legiti- teers: two girls who were teenage mothers mate, honest debate about how many things and on welfare, who got themselves off wel- you can afford to do in Washington and how fare, got a high school equivalency, and were many things you need to get back home to working to help other people get off and New Hampshire or you need to ask the pri- earning money for college; a woman who was vate sector. retired from the Navy, believe it or not, who But it’s an area where I—I don’t fault his said, ‘‘I don’t even know if I’ll ever use this vision and his desire to recruit people at all, credit, I just wanted to serve my country and I think it’s, frankly, a program that’s very again working in the neighborhoods;’’ and a defensible. It’s just one—it’s a question of young woman who had a degree from the philosophy and priorities. University of Florida, whose mother was on The President. Let me give you my side welfare when she was born, and she had al- of it. The reason I got the idea of doing ways done very well, and she just wanted to AmeriCorps was, basically, I thought we go back and give something, try to change ought to have more scholarship money avail- that neighborhood. able for young people that wanted to further I think it’s important for us to find some their education or for even not so young peo- ways for people of different racial and in- ple who wanted to do it. And I thought we come backgrounds and regional backgrounds needed to promote the idea of service here to work together for the common good in in this country among young people, at least a nonbureaucratic way. So I think it’s a tiny in a symbolic way. If I could fund it all, if cost for a big gain. And that’s our difference. the Speaker would support me, I’d get up Questions? to a couple hundred thousand people in Lou Gendron. Mr. President, Mr. Speak- AmeriCorps in no time. But I wanted to do er—— it especially as we bring down the size of The President. Do you want to have one the military, because a lot of young people more question—— who otherwise would have gone into the mili- Mr. Gendron. Ladies and gentlemen, we tary and gotten wonderful training and have time for one more question. served their country in invaluable ways and changed their whole lives forever now won’t Line-Item Veto be able to do it because we just have—we Q. This is mainly intended for our Speak- don’t have a need for the same size military. er. If the Congress gives the President a line- And this idea intrigued me. It was pro- item veto without any amendments, wouldn’t moted by a lot of other people. I didn’t come that lower our budget and help the deficit? up with it, I just thought we ought to do Speaker Gingrich. The answer is, yes, it it. And it is not organized—even though it’s would. And I support it. And I’m hoping
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we’re going to be in conference this summer. to our problems here at home. They don’t And the line-item veto’s aimed specifically want us to waste any money overseas. at appropriations bills. And he’s already indi- Nothing is more unpopular than doing that cated that’s how he’d use it. And I hope we’re now. But this is a very small world, and every going to be able to get it passed and to him time the United States walks away from this summer so he can actually use it. I problems around the world, we wind up pay- strongly favor it. I think 43 of the Governors ing 10 times the price in blood and money have it. I think you had it when you were later on. So this is something we’re going to Governor of Arkansas. have to work together on. And I think—now, it’s not going to be by Speaker Gingrich. If I could—let me say itself a panacea, but it’s going to cut a couple thank you and goodbye first, and then let the of billion dollars a year of pork out, maybe President have the final say, as is appropriate. as much as $10 billion if we—under certain Let me just say, first of all, I agree with circumstances. what he said, although I can tell you in both And I supported it when we had Ronald parties the difficulties and the problems of Reagan and George Bush. And just as the carrying the burden of America—— other night, frankly, we tried to repeal the The President. Same with the Democrats. War Powers Act to give the President back it’s not just the Republicans. the right—the legitimate power of the Com- Speaker Gingrich. There’s a real chal- mander in Chief, I think that any President lenge for all of us to go back home and ex- ought to have the line-item veto. And I sup- plain why America has to lead. port President Clinton getting it. Let me finally say to Lou and to everybody The President. I want to say, first of all, here who invited us, I think this has been thank you very much for that. We have— the best New Hampshire tradition, the best some of the Republicans were worried be- American tradition. I think it is fabulous that cause the line-item veto legislation might also you have us come over and—are we all right permit the President to line-item-veto special still? And I just want to say thank you to tax, as opposed to general tax legislation, spe- all of you, and again, I want to thank the cial tax legislation. I think it should include President. He didn’t have to do this. It was that. his idea. I think it’s good for America, and But what I said—I sent a letter, or I sent I’m grateful for the chance to be here. a statement to the Speaker and to the major- The President. Let me close by thanking ity leader of the Senate saying that I know you. I’ve enjoyed this, and I expect you have, that a lot of the Republicans may think they too. And most of all I want to thank all of want to give tax cuts which they believe are you for having us here, for listening, for ask- good, which I don’t agree with, so I would ing the questions. commit, that for the remainder of this budget Q. This man wants to say something, Mr. cycle this year, if they would pass it this year, President. I would only use it on spending this year as The President. What? My chops are no a gesture of good faith so we could get it good today. [Laughter] But I’ll be over there into the law and begin to see how it works. in just a minute. Before we leave, I should have said one What I want to say is, when you all hear other thing on the U.N. thing that I didn’t. us debating these issues, I want you to think With all the differences we’ve had, except about some real big questions. And I want for the United Nations and one or two other you to think about the things that affect you, minor things, the Speaker has been very sup- of course. When you hear these numbers bat- portive of me on foreign policy. And one of ted around, it won’t mean anything. I want the things we have to do together is to figure you to think about if we propose a change out how to make his party in the House in Medicare, if he does, I do, what will— somewhat less isolationist than it is. And I how will it affect you? I want you to think think they’re only reflecting the views of their about that, because you should, and you constituents. That is, people want us to tend should let us know.
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I also want you to think about the big is- Remarks at a Fundraising Dinner for sues. What do you think the Federal Govern- Senator John Kerry in Boston, ment ought to be doing? What is the role Massachusetts of the Federal Government as we move into June 11, 1995 the 21st century? How important is it to re- duce the budget deficit as opposed to dealing Thank you very much, Senator Kerry. with, let’s say, the needs of our people for Thank you for your remarks and for your ex- more investment in education and training, ample. Teresa, congratulations. I could listen and do you want us to do both? to you talk all night long. Senator Kennedy We have problems in America that are not got so wound up, you’d have thought he was just political and economic, they are also so- on the ballot next week again. [Laughter] cial, cultural, personal problems. Some peo- That’s why he won. He believed in what he ple you can’t help unless they also are willing was doing, and that’s why he won. Thank you to help themselves. On the other hand, you for your spirit and your courage and your un- can’t just go around and point the finger at flagging energy. Vicki, it’s nice to see you. people and tell them to help themselves if Senator Leahy, Congressman Kennedy, Con- they need a little help to get down the road gressman Markey, Congressman Meehan, in life. my note says that Congressman Frank’s So these are big, fundamental, basic ques- here—he may not be or he may—are you tions that are now being debated all over here? Thank you. I want to tell you some- again in Washington, maybe for the first time thing: When nobody else will stand up, Bar- in 50 years, where we’re really going back ney will. He’s got—where I come from— to basics. And you need to be a part of that. thank you—thank you very much. I was going If you want us to work together, instead to say, where I come from, that counts for of figuring out who’s got the best 30-second something, and I’ve never forgotten it. Your attack on the other, you need to really ham- State Chair, Joan Menard, and your wonder- mer that home. You need to tell the Con- ful, wonderful mayor, Tom Menino, I thank gressman. You need to tell the Governor. You him so much. President Bulger, it’s always need to tell all of us that—be clear about good to be here with you. I have kissed the your difference, but don’t divide the country. Blarney Stone, paid homage, done every- And let’s try to do this. thing I’m supposed to do here tonight. The Let me just close by saying this: I wouldn’t mayor of Galway was—is he here still? trade places with anybody in any other coun- Where is he at? Anyway, I think—you know, try. I get to represent you around the world. I have to go back to Ireland, and I was won- And with all of our problems, the diversity dering if you would consent to be my tour of America, the power of our entrepreneurial guide if I go back, give me a little direction. system, the resources and resolve of our peo- Speaker Flaherty, the Secretary of State ple, we’re still in better shape for the next Galvin, Auditor DeNucci, and Elaine century than any other major country in the Schuster, thank you so much. You are inde- world. And don’t you ever forget it. fatigable. I am so impressed by how you keep And what we owe you is our best efforts coming back and helping us in our need, and not only to show you how we disagree in ways sometimes I think we take our friends for that make us look better than the other but granted, folks, and we should never do that, to actually get things done that your lives and and I thank you. your children and your grandchildren. I’m Somebody told me my friend, Governor going to do my best to do my part. Dukakis is here. Is he here? Hello, Mike. Thank you, and God bless you all. Stand up. God bless you. Thank you. I’ve had a rather interesting day, you NOTE: The President spoke at 4:45 p.m. at the Earl Bourdon Senior Centre. In his remarks, he know? [Laughter] I got up at 5:30 this morn- referred to Louis Gendron, president, Claremont ing, and it’s been a hard week at the White Senior Citizens Congress; Mayor Paul Lizott of House. We’re dealing with—you know, I had Claremont, NH; and Sandy Osgood, director, Earl to veto the rescission bill last week, and we Bourdon Centre. were dealing with a lot of other things, but
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overarching everything, of course, was the now don’t agree with at all. But that’s not fate of Captain O’Grady. And it was a few all bad. We’re going to have this huge debate. days before we even knew for sure he was For example, one of the issues that now alive. And the whole remarkable story is be- is really open for debate is whether most of ginning to come out, and of course, we’re these social problems that Senator Kerry going to receive him at the White House to- talked about are caused by economic and po- morrow, and I’m looking forward to that. I litical and social factors or whether they’re know all America will be rallied and full of largely personal and cultural. That is, they joy and energy. can only be fixed by people just stopping But, anyway, I was pretty tired anyway, doing what they’re doing wrong and begin- and I rolled out of bed at 5:30 this morning, ning to behave. and I hauled up to New Hampshire, and I Now, there’s some truth to that, isn’t spoke at the Dartmouth commencement and there? I mean, at one level that’s just self- shook hands with about 1,600 students. And evident that people should behave, and if then I went to a reception and shook hands they don’t do what they’re supposed to do, with a couple hundred more people. I went nothing the rest of us can do will make any- to Claremont, and Speaker Gingrich and I body get an education or make anybody put did our little town hall meeting. And I a gun down or make anybody stay out of a thought it was a good thing, good thing for gang. That is self-evident at one level. America, and I hope you did, too. We didn’t But if you have the opportunity to do what get into all of the issues, but we got into some I have done, which is to sit with Mayor of them, and we had a civilized way, I think, Menino and his youth council, you know that of explaining what the differences are. it makes a whole lot of difference if some- body is trying to help these kids make the What I’d like to talk about a little bit to- right decision. So I’m a Democrat because night is why I’m still here, and why I’m glad I believe the problems are personal and cul- you’re here. I was looking at Ted Kennedy tural, but not exclusively personal and cul- give his speech so brilliantly tonight and tural, and I think we’re put on this Earth wanting to cheer every word, and then I to try to help other people make the most watched Teresa speak, and I watched John of their lives, and we’re better off when we speak, and I watched John’s movie, and I’m do that, and I have learned that. feeling sort of mellow. I got to thinking, you I hear these—there’s a big debate in know, it’s a miracle any of us are still around, Washington about if the Government is not you know, the whole complex of cir- very good, what should we do, what is the cumstances that brings any person to any most important thing. And some people think point in time, where you’re in a position to balancing the budget as quickly as possible do whatever it is we’re trying to do now. It’s is the most important thing, no matter what a great privilege. It’s an honor. the consequences. I think it’s an important And so I was thinking to myself, in this thing; that’s why we worked hard on our defi- time when our tide is supposed to be out cit reduction package. We got interest rates and theirs is supposed to be in, why would down. We got the economy coming back. We I not leave my party? Why am I proud to have over 6 million jobs to show for it. It be here with John Kerry? Why was I proud is not an insignificant thing. when Ted Kennedy fought back and won? But it is not the only thing, because it’s And I’d like to tell you why I am, based on not as if this country’s not worth anything, what I know and what I see as your Presi- you know. When we invest in the education dent. of our people, we invest in medical research, We are getting back to first principles when we invest in the things that make us today, really getting back to first principles. richer and smarter and stronger, we have as- Sometimes I get in trouble in Washington sets, and they bring us things. when I’m in these arguments with—because And I would tell you we have a budget I forget that things I assume everybody else deficit, but we also have an education deficit agrees with, a bunch of folks in the Congress in this country. It is not solely a money prob-
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lem, but money is related to it. One of my short-term impulses sometimes have to be rules of politics is, when somebody tells you subordinated to the long-term good of the it’s not a money problem, you can bet your United States, all of them, all of them do. life they’re talking about somebody else’s So that’s why I’m still here. problem. [Laughter] You think about that. If you believe that the market always solves Yes, there is a budget deficit, but there all problems and therefore the Government is an investment deficit in people, and so, messes it up, it’s understandable why you’d let us find a way to balance the budget and be against raising the minimum wage. But still invest in the education and training and to me, this country’s done pretty well in the empowerment of all of these people we ex- 20th century, raising the minimum wage on pect to lead us into the 21st century. That’s a pretty regular basis, and now if we don’t why I am a Democrat, and I’m glad to be raise it this year, it’s going to be at the lowest one, because I believe that. level in 40 years next year. And I’m telling If you believe, as some say now, that the you—we always talk about how we want to Government can’t do anything right and al- reform welfare and people ought to go to ways burdens the private sector, then obvi- work—let me tell you something, folks, there ously it makes logical sense to rewrite the are thousands, tens of thousands of people environmental laws of the country by letting that get up in this country every day—in fact, the people who are covered by those laws, a few million—and go to work for the mini- who in the course of their economic activities mum wage. And a lot of them are the sole damage our environment, rewrite the laws. support of their children. Because if you have no faith in Government What kind of courage does that take? Who at all, then you’re not doing anything wrong can live on that? And they get up, and they by letting the polluters rewrite the laws. Be- show up for work every day, and they work cause Government is by definition bad, what for their minimum wage. And they trudge is public is bad, what is private is good, if home, and very often they live in a place that’s what you believe. that’s hard to live in, and their kids are ex- Senator Kerry sponsored, I think, two of posed to problems that most of our children the only environmental pieces, except the aren’t. And they always pay their taxes, and California desert bill, that passed the Con- they never break the law, and they just do gress last year, the Marine Mammal Protec- the best they can. They are real American tion Act and another piece of legislation. We heroes. I think we ought to raise the mini- thank you for that. mum wage. I think that’s the right thing to See, I just don’t believe that. And Repub- do. licans used not to believe that. Richard Nixon So that’s why I’m proud to be a Democrat. signed the law creating the Environmental We could lose every election in the country, Protection Act. Richard Nixon signed the and I’d still be right there, because I couldn’t first Clean Water Act. Teddy Roosevelt was get over that. I could never get over that. the first and perhaps still the greatest of all And I say that not to be critical of other folks environmental Presidents. There were only who really have different views but just to 20 head of buffalo left in the entire United tell you that I feel very fortunate just to be States when Teddy Roosevelt set aside the able to stand here tonight. And I’m the first buffalo preserve out West. If you ever go out person in my family that ever got a college there, you ought to go see it. It’s a big deal. education. I had student loans, and I paid And it’s stood for all kinds of other values. them back, but I needed them badly. And And when I was a boy growing up in the I always thought it was our job to go up or woods and in my little national park in my down together. hometown, I was really grateful to Teddy And one of the things that has struck me Roosevelt. And I always thought that using so much in the last two months—they’ve the power of the Government to protect our been pretty difficult, emotional months for natural heritage was not really a partisan America, and they’re sort of bracketed—if I deal, it was something we had all agreed will just take the last 6 or 7 weeks, by our upon that we had to do, because all of our national heartbreak in Oklahoma City and
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our national exultation at this remarkable the street and to emphasize prevention as young Air Force captain who kept himself well as punishment. It means all that. alive for 6 days, when people were all around But in spite of all of that, underneath all him, and I mean literally all around him, with of those numbers, there is an almost aston- guns in their hand, wanting at least to im- ishing rising tide of random violence among prison him and probably to kill him. And we children. And I’ll tell you this one story, from get together at times like this and we feel, my hometown, Little Rock, Arkansas. Just a even in the midst of tragedy, better about few days ago—I get the local hometown ourselves because we are part of something paper, and I try to read it, it kind of keeps bigger than ourselves. We really feel like me rooted—and there is this remarkable we’re Americans again. And I guess the rea- story. And I only saw the top—I saw this son I still belong to this party is, I think we beautiful picture of this schoolchild, and ought to feel like we’re Americans again these little questions this child had answered every day. I think we ought to be working in the picture—big color picture—‘‘if I could together every day. do anything, I would have people be nice And I want you to think about this one to each other.’’ ‘‘I wish people’’—blank, you issue to illustrate it. It relates to Senator know, it was one of those fill-in-the-blanks Kerry. There are a lot of things I like about things. ‘‘I wish people wouldn’t ever join John Kerry. I like the use—and I mean this gangs.’’ ‘‘I want to live a long time.’’ ‘‘When is a positive way—I like the use that he has I grow up, I want to be a police officer.’’ made of his experience in the war in Viet- I got to laughing, and then I looked at the nam, which was the seminal experience of headline and the whole thing, and this child our generation. I like what it has done to whose picture was here in the corner with his sense of conscience, his sense of respon- this—‘‘this is what I want to do, and I want sibility, his sense of reaching out even to Vietnam. I like the fact that it has made him people to be nice and no gangs, no vio- feel a much greater sense of accountability lence’’—this child and a brother and a sister, for power. Once you see power exercised in the three of them, young children, 10, 12, a way that you think is unaccountable, that and 14, as I remember, were lined up and is erroneous, and you can’t change it quick assassinated, assassinated by, apparently, enough to save people that you’re trying to three young men, only one of them using save, it makes you interested in things like a weapon, because they had an older sister what we did with Mr. Noriega or what the or half-sister who allegedly was involved in BCCI issue was all about or what the S&L the death of one of these other people’s sib- bailout turned out to be. It makes you inter- lings. So their idea of retribution was to go ested in accountability, and I like that. wipe these kids out. I like the fact that he’s kind of like me, And I’m not trying to get you down about he’s interested in all of these technology, fu- this, but what I’m trying to do is to say to ture-oriented issues and basically has a rosy you that a lot of this political rhetoric that view of tomorrow. But the thing I really like we engage in is very divorced from reality. is that he cares, still, as a United States Sen- And this country is in a strange position now, ator, about the issue that still has the capacity because I’m telling you, I still think we’re to tear the heart out of this country, which in the best position for the future of any is the rising tide of violence among young major country in the world: We have the people. strongest economy, the most vital business Let me tell you that the crime rate is going sector; we are well-connected with the rest down in almost every major city in America. of the world; we’re the most ethnically di- It’s a cause for celebration. It’s a tribute to verse. Everything is great. But underneath enlightened leadership. It’s a tribute to the this, we’ve got these kids that literally are police forces of this country. It means that so disconnected, so numb, so unreached, that our crime bill strategy, which Senator Ken- they are killing each other almost without re- nedy and Senator Kerry worked hard for, was morse, and really believing that nobody loves the right one to put more police officers on them and what difference does it make, and
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if they live to be over 21, it will be more world, but it also makes us more vulnerable than they expect. to terrorism. This Nation cannot tolerate that. And the Every one of these leads us to the same only way we will ever turn it around is to conclusion. It is folly for us to believe that reexamine every single thing we are doing, we can live and function and make the most yes, and be willing to change it if necessary. of our own lives all by ourselves. Whether But we also have to make a commitment that we like it or not, beyond our families, we somehow we’re going to do, on a national have work, we have communities, we have basis, what the mayor here is trying to do States, and we are part of a country. with this youth council. Because all these kids Near the end of the Civil War, Abraham start out as good kids. You know, when Lincoln said, ‘‘We cannot be enemies, we they’re 6 months old, they haven’t decided must be friends.’’ We conduct our national that they’re going to grow up and wipe some- politics as if we are trying to segment each body out. And things happen that make them other into different groups of enemies and unable to imagine the life that we take for demonize our Government as the instrument granted. of our common coming together. You know that wonderful line from Yeats, You are here, every one of you, because ‘‘Too long a sacrifice can make a stone of you know better. So I will say to you in the the heart.’’ We have a lot of kids whose hearts end, the reason I hope you will work hard turned to stone. Now, I don’t pretend for to reelect John Kerry is that his life is an example of understanding down to the fiber a moment that if John Kerry and I win re- of his being that we must go forward to- election in 1996 that by 1998, on July the gether, and that every time we lose a child, 16th, every teenager in this country will all we lose a part of ourselves. And no, we’re of a sudden turn into an eagle scout, and not making excuses for other people’s irre- no one will ever pick up a gun or a knife. sponsible behavior, no, we’re not taking on But I do think it makes a difference. I do to ourselves things that we cannot achieve. believe it makes a difference whether the But we do understand that in this imperfect people who hold public office imagine that world, the thing that makes America great they must make connections with people that is when America is together. We have been are different from themselves and feel that divided long enough. We have been dis- we have a collective responsibility not only tracted long enough. We have demonized to seize our opportunities but also to beat each other long enough. There are children back our problems. out there to be saved and a world to be made, I say this again not to depress you, because and that is what we intend to do. I believe that our Nation is in the best posi- Thank you, and God bless you all. tion of any country to seize the opportunities of the 21st century but only—only—if we un- NOTE: The President spoke at 9 p.m. at the Park derstand that every single opportunity in this Plaza Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to Wil- chaotic and fast-changing world has within liam Bulger, president of the Massachusetts Sen- it the seeds of destruction. ate; Charles Flaherty, speaker of the Massachu- And this is one example: Oh, it’s wonderful setts House; William Galvin, Massachusetts sec- retary of the Commonwealth; Joe DeNucci, Mas- if you can take advantage of the global econ- sachusetts auditor; and Elaine Shuster, Demo- omy, but if you can’t you’re going to be one cratic Party activist. of the 60 percent of American workers that are working harder today for less money than you were making 10 years ago. It’s wonderful Remarks to the White House if you can hook into the Internet and you’re Conference on Small Business a rural kid somewhere out in the Mountain June 12, 1995 West and find the whole world at your finger- tips. But if you’re a paranoid crazy, you can The President. Thank you very much. also learn how to make a bomb. It’s wonder- Someone once told me that half of making ful that we can move around all over the a small business work was just consistent, un-
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failing enthusiasm. I think you have dem- ple in both parties who supported it. And onstrated that today. [Laughter] And I hope I want to say a special word of thanks to all you never lose it. of you. Everybody here had to take precious Let me thank, first of all, my good friend time away from your business, and some of Alan Patricof for the wonderful job that he you had to close your businesses down and has done in putting this whole conference come here at great personal financial sac- together. I want to thank the other commis- rifice to yourselves, and I want this to be sioners for the work they have done, the cor- worth your while. And I’m grateful to you porate sponsors, all the people, the staff peo- for doing it, and I thank you. ple, who worked on our meetings out in the You know, sometimes I think things are State and the regional meetings and made pretty rough around here, and I often think sure that we got the reports back here. I they’re entirely too partisan. We—the Speak- thank them all. I thank Phil Lader for the er of the House and I tried to change a little fine job that he has done. of that yesterday up in New Hampshire, and And I want to say a few more words in I think we did the right thing. a moment about the Vice President and the Just in case you think this is something reinventing Government group. But let me new, let me tell you that in 1938, President tell you, their—we tried to do something Roosevelt invited small-business people from that’s hard to do, and may never register, but around the country to gather over at the I noticed for years every President would Commerce Department. Just after the morn- come here and just continue to run against ing session started, the participants became the Government. And it was always good pol- so argumentative that the Commerce De- itics, except the Government never changed partment guards had to be called in. [Laugh- because most people who worked here say ter] An inventor from Philadelphia became Presidents come and go, but we’ll be here so rowdy that the DC police had to take him when they’re gone. [Laughter] And we de- out of the room—[laughter]—and I quote cided that most of those people were pretty from the historical record, ‘‘put him in a good people and that they didn’t wake up hammerlock, give him a finger twist, and as- every day wanting to make your life miser- sign three officers just to keep him quiet.’’ able and wanting to do things that were coun- [Laughter] Well, it was 42 years before they terproductive and hurt the American econ- held another White House Conference on omy. Small Business. [Laughter] I hope you all And the Vice President and people with make it to the lunch break today. [Laughter] whom he has worked, Elaine Kamarck, Bob You know, the last couple of conferences Stone, Sally Katzen, so many others, they ac- have really produced some positive efforts, tually decided to see if they couldn’t get these from the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 folks involved in working with us to try to to the Regulatory Flexibility Act in 1980. This change the culture of Washington so that year is no different. This conference is going when we’re gone, they’ll be different. And to produce some substantive changes, and it that’s never been done before in my lifetime. already has, because of the State and regional And I want to thank him and all of them meetings. And I want to talk to you about for doing it. It’s hard work. It’s thankless them today, ideas that grow out of the rec- work. It’s hour after hour after hour of argu- ommendations that you and your colleagues ing and gaining ground inch by inch that no all across America have made. one will ever see. But I’m telling you, that I ran for President with a pretty simple is what we were hired to do. And that is what vision: I wanted to restore the American he has led the way in doing. And the country dream and bring the American people to- owes him a great debt of gratitude. gether in a period of rapid change here at You know, there have only been three of home and around the world, an economy in these conferences held since our Nation was which jobs and capital, technology and ideas founded. This will be the last one in the 20th flow across borders at lightning speed, with century. I also want to thank the Members great opportunities, but enormous chal- of the Congress who made this possible, peo- lenges, an economy in which we were pro-
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ducing jobs and businesses at record rates icit in only 12 years, while reducing our in- but in which incomes were stagnant and inse- vestment in the future in many important curity was rising for people, especially in areas. We knew we had to get our fiscal their middle-aged years when they needed house in order, bring that deficit down, and to be thinking about whether they could at the same time continue to invest in the guarantee their children a better shot than skills of our people and the technologies of they had had. the future, to open markets, to create more My job as President is to do everything jobs, and also, and quite importantly, to re- I can to see that our people and our busi- invent the way this Government works to nesses have the tools they need to meet the make it relevant to the future toward which demands of the present age and seize the we’re heading, not tied to the past which we opportunities. We know that small business have long since left. is the engine that will drive us into the 21st Now this hard work is paying off. There’s century. We know that big corporations get a lot of work still to do, but the facts speak a lot of attention—[applause]—thank you— for themselves: The economy is up; inflation we know that the big companies get a lot is low; trade is expanding; interest rates and of attention. And they should; they do impor- unemployment are down. The strategy is tant things for America. But you employ most working. Over 61⁄2 million new jobs have of the people, create more than half of what come into this economy in the last 2 years, we produce and sell, and create most of the almost all of them in the private sector, a new jobs, and we need to respond to that. far higher percentage of new jobs in the pri- Small business is the American dream. We vate sector as opposed to Government than look around this room, we see, and you can in the previous decade. We have more than hear when you share each other’s stories, in- 80 new trade agreements covering everything novation and ingenuity and daring. from cellular telephones to rice from my I’ll never forget one thing that Hillary told home State and everything you can imagine me years ago. We were talking about all the in between. The deficit is being cut already jobs we had when we were kids, and all the by a trillion dollars over 7 years, and we are jobs we had going through college and law going to cut it more. school and all of that. And she said that the We are reducing—the deficit is now going most important job she ever had in her life down 3 years in a row under the budgets she thought as a child was a job she had already passed for the first time since Mr. working in a small store in her hometown Truman was the President of the United when she was in high school in the summer- States. And under the budgets already time, because this person just opened this passed, thanks to the reinventing Govern- new business to try to compete with the only ment effort, we are going to reduce the size other person doing the same thing in town. of the Federal Government by 270,000. It And she said for a couple of weeks nobody will make it the smallest its been since Presi- came in. And she realized, and I’ve heard dent Kennedy was the President of the Unit- her say it to me 50 times since she first said ed States. it, the extraordinary amount of personal cour- In 1993, more new businesses sprung up age it takes to start a new enterprise and risk than in any previous year since World War yourselves in this environment. That is what II when we started keeping these statistics. made this country great. And we have to And 1994 broke the record of 1993. And nourish it, support it, enhance it, not under- more and more, importantly, are staying mine it. That’s why you’re here. alive. In the last 2 years, business failures and When I came here 21⁄2 years ago, the first bankruptcies have plummeted. We wanted thing we had to do is to try to generate a to keep it that way. We’re doing everything broad-base economic recovery because we we can to accelerate that trend. were in a period of the slowest job growth In the 1993 economic program which was since the Great Depression. And we were passed by the Congress, there was a 50-per- having serious problems. We had quadrupled cent cut in capital gains for 5-year invest- our country’s debt and tripled the annual def- ments in new businesses capitalized at $50
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million a year or less. I think that will in- matically without lowering the volume of crease access to capital for small businesses. loans to other business or without lowering We raised the amount that can be deducted the credit standards one single bit. for equipment expenses by 75 percent. We The Vice President talked a little bit about extended the research and experimentation the Herculean work that he and the others tax credit. We have just extended the deduc- in our reinventing Government group have tion for self-employed people for their health been doing to reduce regulations. Last Fri- insurance premiums, and next year it will go day we announced an initiative that will allow up to 30 percent from 25 percent. We’ve also you to report wage and tax information to scrapped export controls and expanded ex- one place. Instead of sending the same data port assistance to help not only big busi- to many different Federal and State organi- nesses but small businesses sell their prod- zations, you can now send it to one place, ucts around the world. and we’ll do the rest. Next year, in 32 States When I came to this office, I had three next year, people will be able to file their basic goals for small business: I wanted to State and Federal income taxes together, give new life to the Small Business Adminis- electronically. Now, that will really save a lot tration; I wanted to make it easier for you of paperwork and problems. to get credit; and I wanted to cut Govern- Today I want to make two further an- ment, regulations that didn’t make any sense nouncements. First of all, we’re committed so you could grow faster. We’ve come a long to making the regulatory burden lighter, lit- way toward meeting these three objectives. erally lighter, specifically 39 pounds lighter. Under the extraordinary leadership of both [Laughter] As part of the review I ordered Erskine Bowles and Phil Lader, two people at the beginning of the year, we are taking who became heads of the SBA not because 16,000 pages from the Government’s Code they happened to be involved in politics but of Federal Regulations. I thought you would because they knew something about small like to see those pages. business, which seems to me that should be Could you bring them out, please? the basic criteria for anybody who ever gets These are our others. that job in the future under any administra- Audience members. IRS, IRS—— tion. The President. Hey, I’m working on that. We have a leaner, more invigorated, more Now, if you place these end to end, they committed SBA than ever before. We’ve would stretch for 5 miles: 50 percent of the shrunk the applications for most common SBA regulations; 40 percent of the regula- loans from over an inch thick to a page long, tions of the Education Department—I want one single page. The SBA budget is now less to compliment them; they’re also trying to than the taxes paid every year by three com- fulfill my mandate to have national standards panies that received critical SBA help early of excellence and then support for grassroots in their careers—Intel, Apple, and Federal education reform, not education reform right Express. out of Washington—40 percent of the regu- In the past year more private capital was lations; 25 percent of the reporting burden invested in SBA’s venture capital program of the EPA. Now, let me give you an example than in the previous 10 years combined. We of what this is. have dramatically reduced the credit crunch Audience member. IRS, IRS—— in many parts of the country by revising The President. Do you want to give this banking regulations to encourage lending to talk? [Laughter] We’re working on that. I al- smaller firms. And the SBA loans grew from ready told you we dramatically cut the re- 32,000 in 1992 to an estimated 67,000 this porting requirements. We’re working on the year. And though we more than doubled the regs, too, on the IRS. If you knew how hard number of loans, the cost to the taxpayers we had to work on all these, you’d come on was reduced. We’ve expanded loans to up here and help us some more. [Laughter] women- and minority-owned businesses dra- That’s why you’re here. Give us a list of the matically—dramatically—without—this is other things you want cut. That’s why you’re the important criteria—we have done it dra- here.
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Audience member. IRS. percent of material in the pan shall be con- The President. If you give a list, you file sidered as a percent passing through a #25 your report—you know how this works. sieve.’’ You’ve got to get your votes up and make I don’t know if we can do without that your recommendations. But this will make or not. What they ought to do is just have a difference. This will make a difference. a designated taster like me in every State that Let me just give you one example of the knows what grits taste like. [Laughter] kind of thing—if I were a betting person, Now, I have to tell you, there is some real and I could afford it—[laughter]—I would sacrifice in this, though. We’ve all had a good wage a considerable amount of money that laugh, but there’s some real sacrifice. I per- no one will ever write me a letter complain- sonally am having to give up this 2,700-word ing about the demise of these regulations. regulation on french fries. [Laughter] Don’t But I was being reasonably conscientious, worry about it, folks. Our health insurance like I am, I wanted to make sure we weren’t plan has counseling for this sort of thing. I’ll getting rid of something terribly essential, be all right. [Laughter] and so I asked the reinventing Government Let me tell you that we’ve had a good folks to give me an example of the kind of laugh here today, but—and while a lot of this things we’re getting rid of that I could relate seems self-evident, it’s not always easy to get to from my Arkansas roots. And I hate to rid of these things that are outdated and tell you this, folks, but we’re about to lose don’t make any sense to us. But it’s even the regulation that tells us how to test grits. harder to make regulations that need to be [Laughter] Now—it’s terrible. on the books but have become tangled up Now, listen to this. I want you to ask your- and senseless over the years, untangled, sen- self if you can do without this: ‘‘Grits, corn sible, and workable. grits, hominy grits, is the food prepared by So we’re also working to make another so grinding and sifting clean, white corn, with 31,000 pages of these Federal Government removal of corn bran and germ that on a regulations simpler, clearer, and more rel- moisture-free basis, its crude fiber content evant to your lives—things that most of you is not more than 1.2 percent, and its fat con- would admit ought to be done, but just don’t tent is not more than 2.25 percent.’’ Here’s make sense in the way they’re being done— the interesting part—[laughter]—‘‘When to bring common sense back into the way tested by the method prescribed in Para- we do business. graph B–2 of this section, not less than 95 Here is proof of the example. Today I want percent passes through a #10 sieve—[laugh- to announce a plan to reform the laws and ter]—but not more than 20 percent through regulations governing pension plans in our a #25 sieve.’’ [Laughter] Now, here’s B–2; country. And almost every one of them came it tells you how to get that done: ‘‘Attach bot- from you. That’s why I am urging—that’s tom pan to #25 sieve.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘Fit the why I said to the gentleman who mentioned #10 sieve into the #25 sieve, pour 100 grams the IRS and the others, this is what this con- of sample into the #10 sieve, attach cover ference is for. When you hear this, you may and hold assembly in a slightly inclined posi- want to clap, but remember, it’s happening tion. Shake the sieves’’—[laughter]—‘‘by because of you. And we can do more because striking the sides against one hand with an of you. upward stroke, at the rate of about 150 times But let me just go over this. You may rec- a minute.’’ If you’ve never been in a march- ognize these ideas because we got them from ing band, how do you know what 150 times you. The pension laws enacted over the last a minute is? [Laughter] ‘‘Turn the sieves 20 years with the best of intentions are now about 1⁄6 of a revolution each time in the so utterly complicated that you need a SWAT same direction after each 25 strokes.’’ team of lawyers and accountants to help you [Laughter] ‘‘The percent of the sample pass- fill out the forms and comply with the rules. ing through a #10 sieve shall be determined Running pension plans takes so much time by subtracting from 100 percent the percent and costs so much money that only 15 per- remaining in the #10 sieve.’’ [Laughter] ‘‘The cent of the small businesses in our country
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have them. Most of you just give up, and Lastly, let me say that for all of the chal- who could blame you? lenges and difficulties in this country, I Simple streamlined pension plans, how- wouldn’t swap with any other country in the ever, are good for everyone, for small busi- world as I look to the future and what it ness because they boost morale and give peo- holds. ple a stake in the company, for workers be- So, in a few moments, the Vice President cause they encourage savings, and we need and I are going back to the White House to do everything we can to see that our peo- and we’re going to welcome that fine young ple put away more money for the future. Air Force Captain Scott O’Grady and his So here’s what we’re going to propose: family there. And I want you to think about Start a simplified IRA-based pension plan for everything this country’s got going for it. companies with 100 or fewer employees. First of all, and most important, it’s got Under this plan, if you guarantee your em- you and people like you, great entrepreneurs, ployees a certain contribution, you will be great citizens, people who work hard, make exempt from complex anti-discrimination the most of their lives, doing the best that rules. they can with their families, contributing to Second—I don’t know how many times their communities. I’ve heard this myself—second, fair treat- Secondly, we have more diversity in this ment for families who work together. Get rid country, more ethnic and cultural diversity, of the family aggregation rule. Get rid of the than any other advanced country. And that’s a huge asset in a global economy. It’s a huge family aggregation rule, which treats family asset. members as a single entity, dishonors the Thirdly, we have a phenomenal set of as- hard work of individuals, and is a drag on sets and technology and research capability. that great American institution, the family And we have a Government that can change business. and can be a partner as we build the economy Third, simplify. There is currently a seven- of the 21st century. We have profound chal- part test to determine whether or not some- lenges. But what I want you to believe from one is a, quote, ‘‘highly compensated em- this experience today is that we can change, ployee.’’ That is nuts. [Laughter] So, we be- we can make it better, and that it comes from lieve that there ought not to be a seven-part you. We will listen. That’s why we wanted test. We simply ought to have a simple guide- you to be here. I want you to be screaming line that will save all of us time and money. and yelling and having a good time. I will Now, we can do all of these things without not send the DC police after you—[laugh- opening the system to abuses. Safeguards for ter]—as long as you will send me some more fair play are still in place. But we can do good recommendations so we can do this it, and we should. There is a lot more to do. again next year. I want to make two points in closing. Num- Thank you. And God bless you all. ber one, you can make progress on these problems. It’s hard work. It’s more difficult NOTE: The President spoke at 10:40 a.m. at the than giving speeches about how bad it all is, Washington Hilton. but it can be done. The second point I want to make is, we know you made a sacrifice in time and money Remarks at a Ceremony Honoring to come here. We know people like you made Captain Scott O’Grady those sacrifices to come to the regional con- June 12, 1995 ferences and the State conferences. This is serious business. We did not ask you to do Thank you very much, Mr. Secretary, Gen- it just so we could cheer and have a good eral Shalikashvili, to all the members of the time, although that’s important. We want Armed Forces here, the distinguished Mem- your further ideas. We are doing these things bers of Congress, the members of the because people like you all over America said O’Grady and Scardapane families, to our dis- they ought to be done. tinguished guests.
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I am tempted to say that we actually ar- for me to host Captain O’Grady and all the ranged this weather today so that Captain fine members of his family, beginning with O’Grady would know for sure that he was his grandparents and going down to his not going to be left high and dry. [Laughter] brother and sister and some of his friends, We are all here to thank our men and at the White House for lunch today. women in uniform for the rescue of Captain I can tell you that he certifies he got a Scott O’Grady. Their mission made all Amer- better meal today than he did in those 6 days icans proud, just as Captain O’Grady’s cour- in Bosnia. But he gave us something more age has made all Americans proud. We know precious than we can ever give him, a re- that the skill and professionalism of our minder of what is very best about our coun- Armed Forces and the intelligence that backs try. And I’d like to now ask Captain O’Grady them up are unmatched. We know that the to come up here and say what’s on his mind months, the weeks, the years in training and heart to the people who gave him back someday, somewhere will always have to be his freedom. put into effect. And, last week, those of you Captain Scott O’Grady. who brought life to that training and saved one brave man’s life said more about what NOTE: The President spoke at 1:42 p.m. at the Pentagon. we stand for as a country, what our values are, and what our commitments are than any words the rest of us could ever utter, and Remarks to the United Auto Workers we thank you for it. Convention Consider this: that an F–16 pilot in Cap- June 12, 1995 tain O’Grady’s ‘‘Triple Nickel’’ squadron picks up a faint radio signal and relays it to Thank you very much. Thank you, Owen, an AWACS plane. Within minutes, the for that fine introduction, and thank you for AWACS operators positively identify Captain your leadership over the years. I want to con- O’Grady and pinpoint his location. Then just gratulate you and the other officers who are hours later, no less than 40 airplanes and hel- retiring. I want to say a special word of hello icopters are airborne, led by a combat search to all the brothers and sisters of the United and rescue team from the 24th Marine Expe- Auto Workers throughout the country, espe- ditionary Unit, commanded by Colonel Mar- cially those from my home State of Arkansas, tin Berndt. The AWACS aircraft, a marvel with whom I’ve worked over the years. of our technology, guide two Super Stallion I’d like to say a word, also, to Dennis Fit- helicopters to within 50 yards of Captain ting, the president of Local 455 out of Sagi- O’Grady. In 2 minutes, the marines secure naw, who was with me last Friday at the the landing site, and whisked the captain to White House for a reunion of a group of ex- safety under hostile conditions. ceptional Americans whom I met along the When I spoke to Captain O’Grady once campaign trail in 1992. We call this group he was on board the U.S.S. Kearsarge, he the Faces of Hope. And I want to thank Den- told me his rescuers were the real heroes. nis for being a member of the group and Well, it can’t be done any better than they for his commitment to our efforts to move did it. They showed our Nation and the world America forward. the best of our teamwork. When we finished All of you know better than anybody that our conversation, Captain O’Grady re- Owen Bieber has dedicated his entire life to marked, ‘‘Mr. President, I just want to say improving the lives of working families. He one thing: The United States is the greatest took over the UAW 12 years ago, during one country in the world. God bless America.’’ of the toughest periods in your entire history. The men and women of our Armed Forces In all of the years, he has never wavered, also bless our America with your service and even in the face of administrations here in your skills. Because you do your job so well, Washington that were sure less than friendly. our Nation will always be ‘‘The Land of the He’s always stood strong not only for UAW Free and the Home of the Brave.’’ Now, let workers and their families and their incomes me say it was a very great personal honor and their future but for the kind of broad
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social progress that has been the hallmark middle class. I wanted to rebuild a sense of of the UAW since its beginning in the 1930’s. hope and community. I wanted to help peo- Whether it was in the fight for civil rights ple to make the most of their own lives. I or the fight to end apartheid in South Africa, wanted to reward the values that have kept your solidarity with the American farm work- this country strong, the values of work and ers, the UAW has always been there for oth- family and community. And so I’ve worked ers as well as for your own interests. hard to develop an economic strategy that Owen Bieber has truly carried on the leg- focuses on both creating jobs and raising in- acy of Walter Reuther. And moreover, in a comes. And I’ve focused on a social strategy very difficult period in our country’s history, that would, instead of just talking about fam- he has set the stage for even greater strength ily values or work, would actually reward for you in the 21st century. We all owe him work and family and responsible parenting our deepest gratitude and our best wishes. and good citizenship. And it’s beginning to And I feel especially indebted to him for his work. advice, his counsel, and his ferocious support. In the past 21⁄2 years, our economic strat- Thank you very much, Owen. We all wish egy has added almost 7 million new jobs to you well and Godspeed. our economy, and nearly all of them have Now, I know you haven’t elected your new been in the private sector. We’re cutting the officers yet, but I wanted to say that I person- deficit by a trillion over 7 years, reducing it ally would feel a whole lot better about my for 3 years in a row for the first time since campaign if we could go into 1996 with poll Harry Truman was President. But we have numbers looking like Steve Yokich’s do right been able to invest more in the education now for you. and training of our people and in the pro- One of the most memorable moments in motion of our children and strengthening our my 1992 campaign, and I had a lot of memo- families. rable moments with the UAW, but one of We’ve been able to give a tax cut to 15 the most memorable was the opportunity I million working families through the earned- had to walk the picket line with Owen and income tax credit. What that means in simple the striking workers of Caterpillar in Peoria. terms is that this year working families with I looked into the tired but determined faces two children with an income of under of men and women on that picket line, and $28,000 will have a tax break of about $1,000. I realized how much was at stake, for them We want to make it so that every family and for all the rest of us as well. who works for a living will not live in poverty. I ran for President because I believed we We want parents who are willing to work full- had to do more to help those workers and time to be good parents and good workers millions of Americans just like them who had at the same time. That’s also why I worked seen their stake in the American dream up- so hard and you worked so hard for the pas- rooted during the 1980’s; people who were sage of the Family and Medical Leave Act. being abandoned by Washington; people It will make a real difference to working fam- who were working harder and harder for less ilies in this country. and less. Their struggle showed me better As you know, we’re having a big debate than any report or any poll that the fight to now in Washington over balancing the budg- save the American dream and the fight to et. As I have said many times, I want to bal- save American families must begin with the ance the budget. It will help you if we do. fight to save America’s workers and their in- It will lower interest rates. It will free up comes and their jobs. Of course, the struggle money to invest in the private sector and new at Caterpillar is still not over, but my admin- jobs. It will mean that we can spend more istration continues to walk the line with you, of your tax money on things like the edu- and we’ll stay there. cation of our children and less paying interest I came to Washington to work with you on the debt. and with all other Americans to turn these But we cannot balance the budget by giv- disturbing economic trends around. I wanted ing a huge and untargeted tax cut that bene- to shrink the under class and to grow the fits mostly very wealthy people and paying
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for it by excessive cuts in the Medicare pro- gram to get the kind of training they need. gram. We can’t do it by walking away from When people lose their jobs in this country the fact that we have not only a budget deficit today, too often people walk away from them. but an education investment. You know as And it’s wrong. well as anyone, from the increases in produc- Let me take just a moment to talk about tivity the UAW has achieved in the last sev- one other aspect of our strategy that is crucial eral years, that we have to have constant edu- to our future. As we enter the 21st century, cation and training if we’re going to guaran- trade is becoming more and more important tee our young people the incomes and the to the long-term health of the American security they need. economy. We only have 4 percent of the So I say, we all know that the countries world’s population. Our success in the future that do the best job of educating all their rests heavily on being able to sell our goods people will be the real winners in the global and our services to the other 96 percent of economy. No one understands this more than the world. you. You have led the way with your appren- When we open new markets, we find new ticeship programs and your training pro- consumers for our products. When we sell grams. You have worked and worked and more products, we create more jobs. Every worked to support the kind of lifelong learn- billion dollars in new exports creates 17,000 ing agenda that is central to my efforts to new American jobs. That’s why I’ve done my revitalize the American middle class. dead-level best as President to open new And that’s why, even though I agree we markets around the world. The Congress has should balance the budget, we don’t have to helped me, because it means so much to our be targeted into an arbitrary timetable, fund- economy and to our way of life. The fight ing excessive tax cuts to people who are doing for open trade should not be a partisan issue. well and don’t need it, and having excessive cuts either in Medicare for our elderly or in Democrats and Republicans work together the investments that make our country to put in place more than 80 trade agree- strong. ments in just over 2 years. I’m fighting to preserve our investments, I know you haven’t always agreed with us, like the direct student loan initiative, which and I understand. I think I did the right lowers the cost of college loans to your chil- thing, because we get the burdens of low dren, eases their repayment terms and makes wage countries shipping goods into this coun- it possible for more of our young people to try and into our markets no matter what we go and to stay in college; our innovative do. The trade agreements we’ve reached school-to-work apprenticeship efforts, which aren’t just pieces of paper, they’re meaning- involves partnerships with unions and com- ful, concrete pacts that open up markets to munity colleges and employers all over the us and create jobs that, on balance, pay above country; our successful national service initia- the national average. tive, AmeriCorps, which gives 20,000 young Open trade is now expanding all around people college scholarship funds in return for the world, everywhere, that is, but Japan. Of community service work in their local com- all the industrialized countries, Japan imports munity, helping people to help themselves. fewer manufacturing goods for their size than We can’t afford not to support something any other by a long shot. At times, some peo- as important to our future as the education ple said it was our fault that we didn’t sell and training of all of our people. That’s why more there. They said our deficit was too I am also supporting a new GI bill for Ameri- high. They said our products were not com- ca’s workers, to collapse about 70 smaller petitive. Government training programs into one big Well, we cut the deficit, and on an annual block and to give people a check or a voucher basis now, our deficit is as small a percentage when they’re unemployed or when they’re of our income as that of any other advanced underemployed so that they can take the country in the world. And all of you and mil- money for up to 2 years to a local community lions of American workers like you worked college or to any other approved training pro- hard to make sure that our products could
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compete and win in terms of price and qual- than the European market, more open than ity. most markets in the world. The Japanese Now in some areas we have made progress auto market, by contrast, is still closed to with Japan over the last 21⁄2 years. We’ve con- American products. We have tried and tried cluded 14 results-oriented agreements. Be- other means as long as we could. And we lieve it or not, they’re now eating American have tried long enough. Now we must act rice in Tokyo. Japanese consumers are buy- decisively to level the playing field and to ing everything from our apples to our tele- protect American jobs. communications equipment. But in many I have ordered the U.S. Trade Representa- areas, Japan’s market remains stubbornly tive to impose 100 percent tariffs on 13 Japa- closed. There’s no question this is about arti- nese-made luxury cars by June 28 unless ficial trade barriers, not the quality of Amer- Japan agrees to open its markets to cars and ican products. car parts before then. Now the ball is in their By some estimates, if Japan had open mar- court. I hope Japan is ready to reach a serious kets, the increase in U.S. exports would cre- agreement. But make no mistake, if we have ate hundreds of thousands of American jobs. not resolved this by June 28, these sanctions By the way, it would have been good for the will go into effect. Japanese, too, because their consumers pay I’m gratified that there’s so much over- almost 40 percent more than they should for whelming bipartisan support for this policy the basic necessities and products of life. in the Congress. It’s time for the Japanese Japan’s trade barriers are most unfair, as to play by the same rules the rest of us play you well know, when it comes to cars and by. If working Americans see us continue to car parts. In the last 25 years, we shipped put up with unfair deals, they’ll lose their 400,000 cars to Japan, and they shipped 40 faith in open trade. And we can’t afford that. million cars to us. That’s a 100:1 ratio. Be sure and quote that number the next time We’ve made too much progress opening mar- somebody tells you there’s not really a trade kets to risk letting this problem with Japan problem here. spin out of control. We can’t hesitate to fight Twenty-two years ago, in 1973, the Big for our rights. Three had less than one percent of Japan’s Japan is a valued friend and partner. We auto market. Every President since then has cooperate on a host of other issues. Our trade tried to fix this problem and open the Japa- relationship must also reflect that kind of co- nese market to American cars. You know operation. It has to be a two-way street. what kind of success we’ve all had, what kind That’s all I’m working to do. Just as we must of market share the Big Three has today, be good partners with the other nations of after 22 years? A whopping 1.5 percent. the world, we know that Japan must be a Now, you know how bad this problem is. good partner with us. Our auto industry accounts for about 5 per- Let me say again, this is not just in our cent of our gross domestic product directly. interest; this is in their interest. Even though It employs 21⁄2 million Americans. But when their incomes are high, they are paying al- the auto industry does well, so do a lot of most 40 percent more for consumer products other people, the people who make iron and than they should. We’ll all win if we have steel and aluminum and rubber and glass and fair and open trade. semi-conductors, the things the auto industry I also want to ask all of you to be partners needs. American auto parts are so good that in strengthening the economy. I believe we have an auto parts trade surplus of $5.1 good, strong unions and good faith collective billion around the world, because demanding bargaining are essential to helping us meet companies, like BMW and Mercedes, use the challenges of the future. That’s why one our auto parts all the time. But with Japan, of the first things I did upon taking office we have $12.8 billion trade deficit. was to rescind the anti-union Executive or- My fellow Americans, this is a simple ques- ders of the previous 12 years. And 3 months tion of fairness. The American auto market ago I signed an Executive order that states is open to Japanese products, more open loud and clear we will not allow companies
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that do business with the Government to per- me of the words to a country and western manently replace striking workers. song, ‘‘How can anything that sounds so good The right to strike is a fundamental Amer- make me feel so bad?’’ ican right. Anyone who tries to deny that There are those who talk about the health right can expect a fight from this administra- and safety of working Americans that try to tion. Labor unions have worked too hard in weaken, even to gut health and safety stand- the 1980’s and the early nineties. They have ards; those who say they support work over made too many concessions. They have welfare, but support a welfare reform bill changed too many work rules. They have that’s weak on work and tough on children, shown over and over and over again the will- one the Congressional Budget Office says is ingness to make changes to become more unworkable in 44 of our 50 States. They say productive and more competitive. When they that work should pay, but they oppose raising make those kind of changes and show that the minimum wage to make it a living wage. kind of flexibility and when they have the All of you know how important the minimum kind of results that have been achieved, they wage has been to making sure people have deserve to be respected, and the spirit as well a decent standard of living in this country. as the letter of the law should be honored. You know, I saw something recently that We will also fight any attempts by compa- brings home the need for an increase in the nies to dominate labor unions. I will veto any minimum wage more than anything else that effort to weaken Section 8(a)(2) of the Na- I’ve seen in recent months. I was watching tional Labor Relations Act. And I am fighting a news special on television, and they went to preserve your hard-earned wage protec- down South to a town that had a lot of mini- tions. The Davis-Bacon Act and the Service mum-wage workers. There they interviewed Contract Act are the foundations for decent a remarkable woman in a local plant who was living standards for many, many Americans. working for the minimum wage. They said Some want to take that away, but I want to to her, ‘‘You know, your employer says if we stand at your side to protect that standard raise the minimum wage, then they’ll either of living that you have fought long and hard have to lay off people or put more money to maintain. I don’t agree with those who into machinery and reduce their employment criticize these acts as inefficient or excessive. long term, and you could be affected. What I believe that the Davis-Bacon and Service do you say to that?’’ And the woman just Contract Act simply put the American Gov- threw back her shoulders and smiled and ernment on the side of favoring a high-wage, said, ‘‘Honey, I’ll take my chances.’’ high-growth economy. I don’t believe we There are a lot of women and no small should support policies that increase the in- number of men out there who are in that equality that has grown so much over pre- situation. Some of them are raising their kids vious years. on the minimum wage. The truth is we have I believe we should go up or down to- looked at all the arguments, pro and con. gether. We should have shared sacrifice; we There is really no evidence that a raise in should have shared benefits. And I will veto the minimum wage will cost jobs, but we do any effort to repeal those laws. know it will make more people want to move I also believe, as you do, that collective from welfare to work. We do know it will bargaining is not a privilege but a right. Our reward work. And we know if we don’t raise appointments to the NLRB, Bill Gould, the minimum wage, next year it will be at Peggy Browning, and the General Counsel, a 40-year low, once you adjust for inflation. Fred Feinstein, are committed to preserving That’s not my idea of the 21st century that right. economy. My idea of the 21st century econ- And so, together, we are all working here, omy is Americans working hard, working fighting hard to help you hold on to what smart, well-trained, well-supported, compet- you’ve struggled to win over six decades. But ing and winning in the global economy, doing after standing in your way for 12 years, there the kinds of things the UAW is doing today, are those in Congress who now want you to not driving down the minimum wage so that believe they’re on your side. Kind of reminds more and more people work harder and
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harder just to fall into poverty. That’s wrong, Proclamation 6809—Father’s Day, and we need to turn it around. We need to 1995 give everybody a fair shot at the American June 12, 1995 dream. In closing, let me say that our work here By the President of the United States requires a partnership with you, so that we’ll of America be ready to compete and win in the 21st cen- tury; so that we don’t raise the first genera- A Proclamation tion of Americans to do worse than their par- As children finish the school year and fam- ents; so that, instead, we begin to grow the ilies begin to enjoy the long days of summer, middle class and shrink the under class again. Americans across the country reach out to The future of our Nation depends upon re- their fathers in thanks. Every year, Father’s warding the efforts of workers like you. You Day gives us a chance to spend time with and your families are the heart and soul of our families and to honor the bond between America, so we have to work together to pre- parent and child. It is a moment for dads serve not only what has been won but to fight to find joy in the blessings that fatherhood for the jobs, the incomes, the justice, the brings. And it is a day for remembering that American dream of the future. We can do children can grow up immeasurably stronger it. We can do it. with the gift of a father’s love. Thank you, and God bless you all. The most fortunate among us can claim warm memories of our fathers’ lessons— times when dads can be models of energy NOTE: The President spoke by satellite at approxi- and patience. Whether encouraging their mately 5:45 p.m. from Room 459 of the Old Exec- utive Office Building to the UAW meeting in Ana- children in taking their first steps, riding a heim, CA. In his remarks, he referred to Owen bike or meeting other challenges in life, fa- Bieber, outgoing president, and Steve Yokich, in- thers teach us the importance of balance and coming president, United Auto Workers. stand behind us until we’re steady. Through the scrapes and self-doubts that every young person confronts, fathers can be our role Statement on the Retirement of Lane models and heroes, soothing childhood fears Kirkland and instilling the steady values of hard work and fair play. They are our guidance coun- June 12, 1995 selors and our best friends. Their faith in- spires us to try again when we fail and fills American workers, and workers around us with pride when we succeed. As coaches the world, owe a tremendous debt of grati- and caregivers, teachers and workers, fathers tude to Lane Kirkland. For nearly five dec- who make parenthood a priority earn their ades, he has been a catalyst for international families’ lasting respect. democracy and a guiding force for workplace We Americans rely on our fathers for cour- fairness, dignity, and innovation. age and compassion, and the security of hav- His record of achievement rivals the great ing them with us gives us confidence in all labor leaders that came before him, and his of our endeavors. On this special day, let ideas and accomplishments will benefit work- America’s sons and daughters show their fa- ing families for generations to come. He thers that they care. Let us continue to strive served with distinction during some of the for a world in which every child grows up toughest times for American workers and safe—a world in which every child knows brought creativity, a laser-like determination, that though they may feel sometimes un- true grit, and an unparalleled intellect to his steady, their fathers are behind them always. job as president of the AFL–CIO. Now, Therefore, I, William J. Clinton, Hillary and I wish him the very best for President of the United States of America, the future and will always be grateful for his in accordance with a joint resolution of the strong support, keen advice, and valued Congress approved April 24, 1972 (36 U.S.C. friendship. 142a), do hereby proclaim Sunday, June 18,
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1995, as ‘‘Father’s Day.’’ I invite the States, A friend once described Les’ idea of a va- communities, and citizens of the United cation as thinking about defense in a dif- States to observe this day with appropriate ferent setting. [Laughter] Once when he did ceremonies and activities that demonstrate take a few days off, he sent a postcard home our deep appreciation and affection for our to his staff. On the front, there was a picture fathers. of a beach; on the back he had scribbled, In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set ‘‘Why are you wasting time reading post- my hand this twelfth day of June, in the year cards?’’ of our Lord nineteen hundred and ninety- Those of us who had the privilege of being five, and of the Independence of the United close to Les Aspin know that he was not only States of America the two hundred and nine- exceptionally brilliant, he was iconoclastic in teenth. the best sense. That was a great benefit now William J. Clinton as we go through this period of transition from the cold war into a new and exciting [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, but still troubling world. 11:02 a.m., June 13, 1995] He was always questioning the conven- tional wisdom and always refusing to be NOTE: This proclamation was released by the Of- fice of the Press Secretary on June 13, and it was bound by it. He was a good teacher. I learned published in the Federal Register on June 14. a lot from him. I remember the first time I came to see him I was the Governor of my home State and not a candidate for Presi- Remarks at a Memorial Service for dent, a curious person. And when I left his Les Aspin office after our first talk, I was utterly ex- June 13, 1995 hausted. I thought I had finally found some- body with 4 times the energy I have. I would like to begin by thanking all the Through the years, I sought him out more people who have spoken before. Each of and more. And in 1992, he, more than any them has given us a little slice of the incred- other person, was responsible for the fact ible, complex, rich person that Les was. I that in our campaign we determined that think he would have liked this service. I think both parties would be strong on defense. somewhere he’s saying, ‘‘Gee, I guess I did Les Aspin did a lot of different things in all right.’’ a lot of different ways. He showed sophistica- I always identified with Les Aspin. We tion, and then he showed the lack of it. But, were policy wonks. We sometimes worried as has been said in different ways today, ev- more about our workload than our waistlines. eryone who really knew him never doubted And on occasion, we forgot that in this com- one thing, that his first and foremost concern plicated world, how things appear are some- was to do whatever would make this country times almost as important as how things are. stronger and safer and better. That is what But I will never forget that the essence of he cared about above all else. him was truly extraordinary. And I am in As the cold war wound down, he played great debt to the contribution he made to a critical role as chairman of the Armed Serv- my life and to the work of this administration. ices Committee. But as my Secretary of De- One of my favorite pictures that has been fense, he was finally able to put his remark- in the press since I’ve been in office is one able knowledge and passion and vision for of Les and I walking across the White House defense policy at work to reshape our forces lawn. I had my arm around him, and we to the demands of the 21st century. The looked like we were deep in thought. You blueprint he took the lead in drafting will know, what I was really telling him is, ‘‘You guide us into that new world. It will guide have to stop working so hard, lose some us for decades to come. And all of us will weight, loosen up.’’ [Laughter] If the Presi- be in his debt. dency is preeminently a place of the power After he left the Defense Department, we of persuasion, I failed on that occasion. continued to talk, and I continued to be [Laughter] amazed by his incredible openness to service,
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by his incredible passion for the issues with Achieved through close consultation with our which we were all called upon to deal. And friends and allies in the Republic of Korea he answered the call to serve again as the and Japan, the agreement keeps North Ko- head of our Foreign Intelligence Advisory rea’s dangerous nuclear facilities frozen and Board, a post that is not much known outside confirms that the Korean Peninsula Energy of Washington, but is of profound impor- Development Organization (KEDO) will se- tance to the future of this country. Then he lect the reactor model and prime contractor agreed to serve on the Armed Services Com- for the light-water reactor project. At the mission on Roles and Missions. He did all same time, KEDO has confirmed that both these things no matter what else was going the reactor model and prime contractor will on in his life, no matter what had happened be South Korean. to him, with incredible good humor and In addressing these and other issues, to- grace and passionate devotion. day’s understandings are an important step It has been said that true patriotism is not on the road toward full implementation of short, frenzied outbursts of emotion but the the US–DPRK Agreed Framework, which steady dedication of a lifetime. By that stand- provides the international community with ard, Les Aspin was a true and remarkable assurance against a North Korean nuclear patriot who made a dramatic positive dif- threat and North Korea with opportunity to ference to the United States and all the peo- rejoin the community of nations. We also ple who live there. continue to believe that the resumption of We will miss him terribly, but, as you North-South dialog is essential not only to heard today, his legacy remains all around the full implementation of the Agreed us in the streets of Beloit, Racine, Kenosha, Framework but also to the continuing effort throughout southeast Wisconsin—how he to build lasting prosperity and a stable peace loves that place. It will be seen in the stu- on the Korean Peninsula. dents and the graduates of Marquette Uni- versity, in the men and women who wear our uniform around the world and do more good Statement on the Supreme Court in conditions that are more safe and secure Decision on Affirmative Action because of his labor. June 13, 1995 It also lives on, as we heard today so mov- ingly, in the memories of those of us who The Supreme Court’s decision sets a new were lucky enough to have known and loved legal standard for judging affirmative action, him. He left each of us our own stock of but it must not set us back in our fight to Les Aspin stories, guaranteed to bring a smile end discrimination and create equal oppor- to our faces and warmth to our hearts as long tunity for all. as we remain on this Earth. Despite great progress, discrimination and Well, Les is God’s servant now. And fi- exclusion on the basis of race and gender are nally, finally, he is with someone with suffi- still facts of life in America. I have always cient energy to keep up. [Laughter] believed that affirmative action is needed to remedy discrimination and to create a more NOTE: The President spoke at 3:18 p.m. at St. John’s Church. inclusive society that truly provides equal op- portunity. But I have also said that affirma- tive action must be carefully justified and Statement on a Nuclear Agreement must be done the right way. The Court’s With North Korea opinion in Adarand is not inconsistent with June 13, 1995 that view. It is regrettable that already, with the ink I welcome the agreement reached be- barely dry, many are using the Court’s opin- tween the United States and the Democratic ion as a reason to abandon that fight. Exag- People’s Republic of Korea in Kuala Lumpur gerated claims about the end of affirmative on key issues related to implementation of action, whether in celebration or dismay, do the US–DPRK Agreed Framework. not serve the interest all of us have in a re-
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sponsible national conversation about how to Address to the Nation on the Plan To move forward together and create equal op- Balance the Budget portunity. June 13, 1995 The Supreme Court has raised the hurdle, but it is not insurmountable. Make no mis- Good evening. Tonight I present to the take: The Court has approved affirmative ac- American people a plan for a balanced Fed- tion that is narrowly tailored to achieve a eral budget. My plan cuts spending by $1.1 compelling interest. The constitutional test trillion. It does not raise taxes. It won’t be is now tougher than it was, but I am con- easy, but elected leaders of both parties agree fident that the test can be met in many cases. with me that we must do this, and we will. We know that from the experience of State We’re at the edge of a new century, living and local governments, which have operated in a period of rapid and profound change. under the tougher standard for some years And we must do everything in our power to now. help our people build good and decent lives Some weeks ago, I directed my staff con- for themselves and their children. ducting the review of Federal affirmative ac- These days, working people can’t keep up. tion programs to ask agencies a number of No matter how hard they work, one, two, probing questions about programs that make even three jobs, without the education to get race or sex a condition of eligibility for any good jobs, they can’t make it in today’s Amer- kind of benefit. What, concretely, is the jus- ica. I don’t want my daughter’s generation tification for this particular program? Have to be the first generation of Americans to race and gender-neutral alternatives been do worse than their parents. Now, balancing considered? Is the program flexible? Does our budget can help to change that, if we it avoid quotas, in theory and in practice? do it in a way that reflects our values and Is it transitional and temporary? Is it nar- what we care about the most: our children, rowly drawn? Is it balanced, so that it avoids our families, and what we leave to genera- concentrating its benefits and its costs? tions to come. These are tough questions, but they are the That’s why my budget has five fundamen- right policy questions, and they need an- tal priorities. First, because our most impor- swers. tant mission is to help people make the most I have instructed the team conducting the of their own lives, don’t cut education. Sec- administration’s affirmative action review to ond, balance the budget by controlling health include an analysis of the Adarand decision care costs, strengthening Medicare, and sav- and its implications in their report. ing Medicaid, not by slashing health services for the elderly. Third, cut taxes for the mid- dle class and not the wealthy. We shouldn’t Message to the Congress cut education or Medicare just to make room Transmitting the Report of the for a tax cut for people who don’t really need Department of Housing and Urban it. Fourth, cut welfare, but save enough to Development protect children and move able-bodied peo- ple from welfare to work. Fifth, don’t put June 13, 1995 the brakes on so fast that we risk our eco- nomic prosperity. To the Congress of the United States: This can be a turning point for us. For Pursuant to the requirements of 42 U.S.C. 12 years our Government—Congress and the 3536, I transmit herewith the 29th Annual White House—ducked the deficit and pre- Report of the Department of Housing and tended we could get something for nothing. Urban Development, which covers calendar In my first 2 years as President, we turned year 1993. this around and cut the deficit by one-third. Now, let’s eliminate it. William J. Clinton It’s time to clean up this mess. Here’s how: The White House, First, I propose to cut spending in discre- June 13, 1995. tionary areas other than defense by an aver-
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age of 20 percent, except education. I want security to our people over the long run. We to increase education, not cut it. We’ll con- ought to approach it in the same spirit of tinue to cut waste. Under Vice President openness and civility which we felt when the Gore’s leadership, we’re already cutting hun- Speaker and I talked in New Hampshire last dreds of programs and thousands of regula- Sunday. tions and 270,000 Federal positions. We’ll There are those who have suggested that still be able to protect the environment and it might actually benefit one side or the other invest in technology and medical research for politically if we had gridlock and ended this things like breast cancer and AIDS. But fiscal year without a budget. But that would make no mistake, in other areas there will be bad for our country, and we have to do be big cuts, and they’ll hurt. everything we can to avoid it. If we’ll just Second, we should limit tax cuts to middle do what’s best for our children, our future, income people, not upper income people, and our Nation, and forget about who gets and target the tax cuts to help Americans pay the political advantage, we don’t go wrong. for college, like we did with the GI bill after Good night. Let’s get to work. World War II. Let’s help a whole new gen- eration of Americans go to college. That’s the NOTE: The President spoke at 9 p.m. from the way to make more Americans upper income Oval Office at the White House. people in the future. Third, don’t cut Medicare services to the Remarks Prior to a Meeting With elderly. Instead of cutting benefits, maintain them by lowering costs. Crack down on fraud Congressional Leaders and an and abuse, provide more home care, incen- Exchange With Reporters tives for managed care, respite benefits for June 14, 1995 families of Alzheimer’s patients, and free mammograms. For all Americans, I propose Plan to Balance the Budget the freedom to take your insurance with you The President. I’d like to, if I might, just when you change jobs; to keep it longer after say a couple of words. First of all, I want you lose a job; insurance coverage, even if to thank Senator Daschle, Senator Moy- there are preexisting conditions in your fam- nihan, Senator Breaux, Senator Mikulski for ily; and lower-cost insurance for groups of coming here today to discuss welfare with self-employed and small business people. If the Vice President and me and Governor we don’t have tax cuts for upper income peo- Romer and Secretary Shalala. ple, as congressional leaders have proposed, Last night I laid before the Nation my plan we won’t need to make harsh cuts in health to balance the budget in 10 years in a way care or in education. that is consistent with the long-term prosper- Finally, balance the budget in 10 years. It ity of the American people and our fun- took decades to run up this deficit; it’s going damental interests. And one of the priorities to take a decade to wipe it out. Now mind I stated was pursuing the right kind of wel- you, we could do it in 7 years, as congres- fare reform. I still believe that the Repub- sional leaders propose. But the pain we’d in- lican bill is too tough on children and too flict on our elderly, our students, and our weak on work and runs the risk of undermin- economy just isn’t worth it. My plan will cut ing our fundamental commitment to the wel- the deficit year after year. It will balance the fare of children without moving people from budget without hurting our future. welfare to work. This budget proposal is very different from I want to endorse today the bill authored the two passed by the House and the Senate, by Senators Daschle, Breaux, and Mikulski and there are fundamental differences be- because it does meet those criteria. It is— tween Democrats and Republicans about it supports work. It supports doing the things how to balance the budget. But this debate that are necessary to get people into the work must go beyond partisanship. It must be force and protecting children, especially about what’s good for America and which ap- dealing with the child care issues and requir- proach is more likely to bring prosperity and ing States to continue to support the children
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of the country who, through no fault of their they are free to express their opinion. But own, are born into poor families. I still feel very good about what I—— So I believe this is the right kind of welfare Q. Mr. President, much of that criticism reform. It also saves money. It will help us appears to be directed at your proposal to balance the budget, but it does it in the right cut the growth of Medicare. way. The President. Well, I believe—if you Q. Mr. President, the Democratic reaction look at what we’ve done—first of all, we’ve to your budget has been overwhelmingly already cut the growth rate of Medicare. The negative. Do you have a revolt on your hands inflation rate has been coming down. And on Capitol Hill? we’ve done it without cutting services to the The President. Well, I think it’s been sort elderly. of decidedly mixed, don’t you? Senator Their proposal will provide for drastic cuts Breaux was just telling me that he and Sen- in services to the elderly. Our proposal will ator Lieberman endorsed it today. provide for some health care reform which Q. But a lot of people feel that you have expands health care coverage, including to let them down, you pulled the rug out from the elderly, and cuts the rate of increase at under them. a more moderate rate than the Republicans do and in a way that enables us to avoid cut- The President. Well, let me just say, a ting services to the elderly or charging low- lot of people—I’m sympathetic with the income elderly people a couple of thousand Democratic position. The Democratic posi- more dollars for health care that they can’t tion is the Republicans won the Congress by afford. We’re not going to do that. just saying no. They voted against deficit re- So if you look at the details of our proposal duction. They proposed health care plans and compared with theirs, I think ours is going then walked away from them. They just said to stand up very, very well. And that’s why no. And somehow, they were rewarded for I have urged all the Members to look at the that, and therefore, we should just say no details, look at the facts before they reach at least for a much longer time. a final judgment. But I do not believe that’s the appropriate Q. Do you want to meet with Republicans position for the President even if it—the vot- as well? ers have a lot on their hands in their own Q. Where does it all go from here, Mr. lives. It’s hard not to figure out what’s going President, a budget summit? on in your own life today without trying to The President. ——the details, like wel- figure out what’s going on here. And I don’t fare reform. believe it’s right for the Democrats to kind of overreact to the last election. NOTE: The President spoke at 12:33 p.m. in the Even though I don’t think they were treat- Oval Office at the White House. A tape was not ed fairly—I don’t think the last Congress got available for verification of the content of these anything like the credit they deserved for re- remarks. ducing the deficit, bringing the economy back, and doing all the wonderful things that were done—I still believe that the long-term Exchange With Reporters Prior to best interests of the country are furthered Discussions With European Union by bringing the deficit down in a way that Leaders increases our investment in education, pre- June 14, 1995 serves our commitment to the historic com- mitments of the Democratic Party to helping The President. Let me say that it’s a great those in need, permits us to protect the envi- honor to have President Chirac here for he ronment and have a strong defense and do first time since his election, although he’s the things the country needs. been here before and we’ve had several good So I believe I have done the right thing. visits since I’ve been President. And I’m I know there will be those who think that looking forward to the conversation. We have it’s the wrong time or the wrong thing, and had no conversations yet, and we’re going to
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have a press availability at the conclusion of NOTE: The President spoke at 1:48 p.m. in the our meetings. Oval Office at the White House. The President met with President Jacques Chirac of France in French Nuclear Tests his capacity as President of the European Council Q. Have the French set back the world and Jacques Santer, President of the European in terms of resuming their nuclear testing? Commission. A tape was not available for verifica- tion of the content of this exchange. The President. I think I would—what we want to do is get a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. That’s high on our agenda, The President’s News Conference and we have agreed not to test while we With European Union Leaders search for that. And I’ll—if there are further June 14, 1995 questions on that, I will answer them at the—— President Clinton. It’s a great pleasure Iraq to welcome President Chirac and President Santer to the White House, the first visit for Q. Do you have any information about this both leaders in their present positions to the happening in Iraq? Do you think it is a coup Oval Office. attempt against Saddam? I begin with congratulations to President The President. I’d rather answer all these Chirac on his outstanding victory last month. questions at the press availability. From our many contacts with him through- [At this point, one group of reporters left the out his long public service, the United States room, and another group entered.] knows that he is a true and reliable friend, and he will be a strong and effective leader France-U.S. Relations for France and for Europe. In his short time Q. Mr. President, can you say something as President he has already demonstrated about this visit of the French President, new- this leadership. We applaud his determina- elected? tion to create jobs and economic growth for The President. First, let me say it’s a great his own country, and with Jacques Chirac as honor to have President Chirac here for his President, we are sure that the French com- first visit as President. But we have known mitment to peace, stability, and progress is each other since I became President. And in excellent hands. I think you met my wife before I was elected. France, as all of you know, was America’s I’ve had many good visits with him, and we’ve first ally. We know that our relationships will talked extensively by telephone since his grow even stronger in the coming years. election. But I look forward to this. And of It was a pleasure as well to meet President course, after our meeting we will have a press Santer, whose leadership in the cause of Eu- availability, and we’ll be able to answer ques- rope follows in the great tradition that began tions about the subject of our talks at that with Jean Monet. More than 30 years ago, time. President Kennedy spoke of a strong and Q. How is the mood between France and united Europe as an equal partner with the United States today with the new Presi- whom we face, and I quote, ‘‘the great and dent here in Washington? burdensome tasks of building and defending The President. I think it’s very good. I a community of free nations.’’ This is more know that I personally have a lot of con- true that ever. And our summit today shows fidence in President Chirac. I think he’s en- the United States partnership with Europe tered office with a lot of energy and direction is a powerful, positive force. and conviction about the things that are good The three of us reviewed a lot of economic not only for France but for our alliance and and security issues: Our efforts to help the our common search for security and for de- countries of Central Europe and the former mocracy and the world and for peace. And Soviet Union. We reaffirmed our commit- I’m looking forward to it. I think he’s going ment to strengthening NATO and proceed- to make an enormous contribution to our ing with the steady process of enlarging the common causes. alliance. We agreed to continue liberalizing
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trade. We agreed that senior representatives on reforming the institutions of the inter- of the U.S. and the EU will work together national economy. The IMF, the World to develop a common agenda for the 21st Bank, the regional banks have served us very century. Secretary Christopher has already well over the last half-century. And they have provided a road map for this dialog in his grown, taken on new missions as the times recent speech in Madrid. demand. But to deal with a new economy We discussed our efforts to strengthen the we have to give them new guidance and new U.N. peacekeeping forces and to reduce the momentum. suffering in Bosnia. In the midst of the trag- First, we must work to identify and pre- edy, we must not forget that the common vent financial problems like Mexico’s before efforts have already saved thousands of lives, they become disasters and rock the global and we must continue to work together. economy. And when crises occur, we must We also explored a number of issues that have efficient ways to mobilize the inter- the leaders of the G–7 will deal with in Hali- national community. fax, and I’d like to mention a couple of them Second, we have to examine how best to if I might. The Halifax conference marks an- adapt for a new era the multilateral develop- other step in our effort to build the structures ment banks and the social and economic of the global economy for the 21st century. agencies of the U.N. These organizations In the face of astonishing change, the grow- have helped dozens of countries to build ing economic ties between nations, the rapid their economies and improve the lives of movement of people and information, the their people. We must not walk away from miracles of technology, our prosperity de- those banks and our obligations to the devel- pends upon preparing our people for the fu- oping world. This is a point that President ture and forging an international system that Chirac made to me in our meeting and one is strong enough and flexible enough to make with which I strongly agree. the most of these opportunities. Finally, together with Russia, we will dis- At home we have been working hard to cuss a range of political issues that include establish a steady record of growth, invest- Bosnia, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, European ment in our people, in bringing down our security, and reform in Russia. We will con- budget deficit. I am proud that our deficit sider new forms of cooperation to combat today is now the lowest of all the G–7 coun- international crime, terrorism, and nuclear tries. Our new budget proposal to balance smuggling, because prosperity without secu- the budget in 10 years will permit us to do rity means little. this and continue to invest in the education Also, I will be having some bilateral meet- and development of our people. ings, as all of you know, including a meeting Abroad we have set out clear goals: To with the Prime Minister of Japan, at which open world markets, to help the former time we will review the position the United Communist countries transform themselves States has taken on our trade disputes with into free market democracies, to promote Japan with—regarding autos and auto parts. economic reform in the developing world, to As you know, we are going to be meeting speed reforms in the international financial about that again shortly after the Halifax institutions. These efforts have yielded tre- summit. My determination there remains as mendous successes: NAFTA, GATT, agree- firm as ever. I believe we can reach a success- ments with the Asia Pacific region and in our ful conclusion, and I intend to do everything own hemisphere. We have supported the na- I can to see that it is done. tions in Central Europe, the New Independ- Let me again thank President Chirac and ent States, and the developing world in their President Santer and offer them the oppor- historic turn toward free markets. Now we tunity to make a couple of opening remarks. have a chance to reap enormous benefits in Mr. President. better jobs, greater opportunities, and grow- President Chirac. Mr. President, ladies ing prosperity. and gentlemen. Mr. President, 40 years ago, We will build on our agreements last year when I was working as a soda jerk in the in Naples when we meet in Halifax to focus Howard Johnson restaurant—[laughter]—I
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didn’t think that one day I would be in the make—that my request that a second G–7 White House beside the President of the meeting be held on employment and that you United States for a press conference. And welcomed that. The first meeting was, in- I appreciate it very much. It’s rather moving deed, a success. for me. Since that time I, unfortunately, for- I also think that we ought to undertake got most of my English. [Laughter] That’s great efforts to fight against organized crime. why I’m going to speak French if you don’t In the United States some recent successes mind—[laughter]—just to say a few words have been achieved in the fight against drugs. to start with. And I think that everything that deals with Firstly, I would like to thank you very money laundering, fighting against drug traf- much for the welcome you have extended ficking, fighting against the spread of AIDS, to me. I’d also like to tell you how pleased again we must pool our efforts, enhance our I am to see that on the main issues we are efforts, and make sure that we work together facing in the world today, and namely rela- in a complementary fashion. Now, in Halifax tions with France and with Europe, we have I will be touching on those points as well. total convergence of views. Now, we have an additional issue, mone- We’re living in a world that is becoming tary insecurity, currency fluctuations. This is increasingly disintegrated. We see a rising something that is a worldwide problem and trend of selfishness and isolationism in many, a European problem, in particular. So these many countries. And so, it is very reassuring are the issues that I, as President of the Euro- indeed to see that the world’s greatest na- pean Union, have raised in my conversations tions realize how important it is to have soli- with the President of the United States and darity amongst one another. This is true in will also be discussed during our meeting in politics. This is true in the social and eco- Halifax. nomic areas. It’s also true when we face chal- lenges together throughout the world and President Santer. Thank you, Mr. Presi- crises together throughout the world. And dent. The wide range of issues we covered this is why I said that we are in agreement in our stimulating discussions today is testi- on most of the points, even if on some issues mony to the importance of our mutual rela- we do have divergent views. tionship. Ours is undoubtedly the world’s Mr. President, as the President of the Eu- most important bilateral partnership. The ropean Union for a few more weeks, I would regular six monthly meetings between the like to express my gratitude for the stance United States and the European Union as that you have taken on Bosnia, which is of such are catalysts for announcing our co- great concern to me personally. I would like operation. The continued strengthening of to say to you that we would like the entire the Union allows this cooperation to be bal- Western world to be more attentive to the anced and effective. problems of the developing issues. And this Despite the excellence of our relations, is something that I will take up in Halifax. there is no place for complacency. In a world This is something that we must do something searching for new equilibrium, every oppor- about. It’s an ethical problem, a moral prob- tunity must be taken to broaden and deepen lem. It’s also in our own interest, given the the relationship. This will provide the foun- population growth that we see in many of dation for global stability and prosperity. these countries. That is why I called at the beginning of I think that we must also work more close- this year for a review of the transatlantic part- ly together when it comes to addressing re- nership and launched the year with a trans- gional crises. We’ve seen the eruption of re- atlantic treaty. I am happy that since then, gional crises in many different parts of the on both sides of the Atlantic, vivid debate world, in Africa, in Europe, elsewhere. I is starting on the future of American and Eu- think that we must, again, think more care- ropean relations. Today’s meeting shows that fully about the main issues, the main chal- there is a clear political will to explore the lenges we are facing today, mainly employ- various means of structuring our relationship ment. And this is why I am very pleased to in view of the 21st century.
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It is too early to commit ourselves to pre- Q. So the protests don’t bother you? I cise concepts. This will need more time. But mean, the fact that the rest of the world really what we must achieve is a formula which is disarmed by your decision? would integrate the political, economic, and President Chirac. Well, unfortunately, I security components of that relationship. A haven’t really seen that the rest of the world lot will obviously depend on the outcome of is unarmed in this. [Laughter] the 1996 intergovernmental conference, President Clinton. As you know, we re- which will define the future shape and role gret the decision, and we have worked hard of the European Union itself. But it is not to try to stop the test as a way of setting too early to immediately improve our con- up greater willingness to have a comprehen- sultation mechanism and to concentrate on sive test ban treaty. And we have forgone concrete action, delivering tangible results in testing ourselves. But I do want to point out the short term. And that is what we have that the French have pledged before Presi- done today. dent Chirac came here—and he has re- We have also discussed the idea of launch- affirmed that pledge, which you just heard— ing a new transatlantic initiative at our next to achieve a comprehensive test ban treaty meeting in Madrid in December. I very by next year. Also, France was very helpful much welcome that, as I welcome the deci- in supporting the indefinite extension of the sion to charge a small group of senior-level Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. representatives to examine ways of strength- So I believe on the larger goals that we ening the European Union and the United still are united, and I believe we will achieve States relationship and prepare the Madrid the success that we seek. meeting. Mr. President, would you like to call on Today’s meeting has confirmed my belief a French journalist? that we are on the right track and that the President Chirac. A French journalist, is transatlantic partnership will further prosper there a French journalist who would like to to the benefit of our peoples and, indeed, ask a question? of the whole world. Thank you so much. Iran President Clinton. Helen [Helen Thom- Q. A question to both Presidents: Con- as, United Press International]. cerning the way of dealing with Iran as a ter- rorist state, are both of the governments on French Nuclear Tests the same wavelength, or is it still a bone of Q. President Chirac, your decision to re- contention? sume nuclear testing has provoked world- President Clinton. You think I should go wide consternation. Are you willing to recon- first? [Laughter] sider? And also, President Clinton, has his President Chirac. Yes, you are the host. decision handicapped the drive for a com- [Laughter] prehensive test ban? President Clinton. It’s the least I can do President Chirac. Well, obviously, the as the host. question that you’ve put to President Clinton I don’t know that we’re on the same wave- is a question that he shall answer. But for length. As you know, many countries dis- me I would say that no, I am not at all willing agree with the position the United States has to go back on the decision that I’ve taken. taken, but we believe the evidence is clear But I would like to recall that we are talking that Iran is a major sponsor of terrorism. And about a very limited number of tests for a we believe the evidence is clear that they are pre-established time frame, that is from Sep- attempting to develop the capacity for nu- tember to May 1996, and that France has clear weapons. And we think that neither of made a commitment to sign without reserva- those things should be supported and, in fact, tions, once it is ready to do so, that is in should be opposed. the autumn of 1996, we will then be in a We also believe, regrettably, that the evi- position to sign the comprehensive test ban dence is that a constructive engagement with treaty. the Iranians has at least so far failed to
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produce any positive results, failed to change U.N. mission, and to discourage all increases the course of conduct of the country. And in violence, to try to keep the lid on the vio- that is why we decided to take even stronger lence and put the pressure on all parties, in- action recently and stop our direct and indi- cluding Serbia proper, to support those ac- rect trade with Iran. And I believe it is a tions which would lead to a negotiated settle- proper course. I will attempt to persuade ment. others that it is a proper course, at least inso- Would you like to comment on that? far—certainly insofar as it affects sensitive President Chirac. On Bosnia, we share things, like technologies which can be used the same view. Firstly, the UNPROFOR sol- for military benefit and certainly to develop diers have been scattered throughout the nuclear capacity. country as part of a humanitarian and peace- keeping policy. They have been spread out Bosnia across a vast territory, which is, furthermore, Q. I’d like to ask President Clinton, thou- occupied by terrorists and, in particular, Ser- sands of government troops are converging bian terrorists. on Sarajevo vowing to break the 3-year-old Now, the inevitable happened, that is to Serb stranglehold on the capital. Do you say, availing themselves of the first pretext think that a military solution is possible that came along, the Serbians took hostages, there? And do you think that the U.N. peace- and the UNPROFOR soldiers on the ground keepers should get out of the way and open were incapable of defending themselves. the way for any attack? Now, a soldier ought to be able to defend President Clinton. Well, you really asked himself at all times, especially if he is running two different questions there. In the first— a risk of physical danger or death. And in whether the road can be opened to Sarajevo that kind of case, it is impossible to allow militarily is not the same question as whether for him to be humiliated. But the soldiers a military solution is possible in a larger of UNPROFOR have become increasingly sense. And my judgment is, and I think Presi- humiliated. So it’s a question of honor, and dent Chirac agrees, that in the end a military that called for a reaction. solution is not available to the Bosnian Gov- And so, France and the United Kingdom, ernment. And I’m quite concerned about it. along with some Dutch reinforcements, we And, therefore, I believe that what we are have decided to create a rapid reaction force. trying to do in strengthening UNPROFOR— The objective of this is not to attack anyone. you know that President Chirac has taken the It is going to be part of the existing U.N. lead, and the United States certainly supports mission and will cooperate with NATO, of him in principle, in developing a rapid reac- course. The mission here is to react, to react tion force to try to strengthen the anytime U.N. soldiers are attacked, humili- UNPROFOR troops there and to protect his ated, or deprived of their freedom. In order own troops more. And we believe that that to achieve this, we had to develop a force and a vigorous continued pursuit of diplo- that has the means to react, namely artillery, macy offers the best hope of saving the helicopters, and tanks. Bosnian state and minimizing casualties. Now I have heard, in some quarters, from In terms of whether in this narrow mo- some political leaders who are wondering ment such an action would succeed, I think whether or not this Franco-British initiative our military leaders’ judgment would be bet- is just a first step towards a withdrawal of ter than mine. But I think the larger point UNPROFOR in Bosnia. Well, this is obvi- is that we have discouraged all the parties ously absurd. If such a withdrawal were ever from continued violence. That’s one of the to take place—and I certainly hope that it reasons that we agreed with the U.N.’s re- does not—this is something that has already quest for a bombing support when Sarajevo been planned for. We’ve already come up was shelled by the Serbs recently. We think with contingency plans for a withdrawal. that the position of the United States should So what I would—what we were trying to be to support our allies who are there on do with the creation—what we are trying to the ground, to support strengthening the do with the creation of the rapid reaction
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force is to enhance the capability of the sol- Yes, it’s time for European journalist. Go diers to carry out their mission. And the ahead. quicker we can do this, the quicker the Serbs themselves will realize that they can’t get Algeria away with murder. Q. Did you talk about Algeria? And this is why we require the general President Clinton. No, but we will to- agreement of the Contact Group. And I can night. Let me say I’m very interested in Alge- say that the Russians have agreed to this, and ria and the implications of what happens almost all the countries we’ve consulted have there for other countries. And President agreed. Now, it is up to the United States Chirac knows much more about it than I do. Congress to give the green light to this initia- Your country has had a very long history tive. And obviously, I hope that it will. there. And I look forward to a rather detailed It’s important to bear in mind that any discussion about it this evening. delay shall be seen by the Serbs as a glimmer Vietnam of hope. And they shall be banking on inter- nal dissension within the Contact Group— Q. Mr. President, you’re being urged by shall give them more time. And they have Members of Congress and by, we’re told, of- to understand that time is running against ficials of your own State Department, to pro- them. So that is the rationale behind this ceed with the establishment of full diplo- rapid reaction force which is being set up matic relations with Vietnam. Do you think the time is right for that? And in your view, and which is, for the most part, composed does Vietnam now meet your criteria for the of French and British troops. establishment of these relations? President Clinton. If I might just make President Clinton. I have discussed this one other response to the original question. issue with some Members of Congress; You know that the sympathies of the United you’re correct about that. I specifically have States and this administration are with the talked with Senator McCain and Senator struggle of the Bosnian Government to pre- John Kerry in my office. And I had a—and serve the territory, certainly the territory that Senator Robb. I also had a passing conversa- has been agreed to in the Contact Group pro- tion with Senator Bob Kerrey about it. And posal, and to end the kind of behavior that of course, I’ve talked with Herschel Gober, we saw in the taking of the U.N. hostages. the Deputy Director of the Department of The question here is, therefore, would this Veterans Affairs, who just went to Vietnam action, even if it could succeed, ultimately on a mission. strengthen or weaken the efforts of They brought back a number of docu- UNPROFOR to strengthen itself. President ments, a significant number of documents Chirac is taking bold actions here to try to which I am now having analyzed with a view strengthen UNPROFOR. Would it increase toward trying to determine whether or not or decrease the chances that ultimately these the standards that I have set forth have been objectives that we all share would prevail? met. When that analysis is complete, I will What other consequences could occur in then reach a judgment and, of course, make other parts of the country as a result of this? it public. But, I think I should await the anal- All these things need to be taken into consid- ysis of the documents. eration, which is why the United States has I will say that the Vietnamese have been taken the position that, for the time being, quite forthcoming. They have worked with all the parties should take as much care as us. If you look at the extraordinary efforts possible to avoid further actions, because we the United States has made to determine the believe that we have the best chance now fate of POW’s and MIA’s and the level of of strengthening UNPROFOR and getting success that has been achieved, even though, some new energy behind a lot of these diplo- to be sure, there are still outstanding cases, matic initiatives. This had nothing to do with there’s nothing quite like it in the history of where our sympathies are in terms of wheth- warfare. And I think that the American peo- er that road ought to be opened. ple should be very proud of the efforts par-
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ticularly made by our military, our active duty And we believe that the institution of a devel- military and those supporting them, to deter- opment bank is not only that favored by the mine the fate of every possible POW and people in the Middle East but also is the MIA. most cost-effective way to leverage a large But I cannot answer your question until amount of private capital with public invest- the review of the documents has been com- ment. We do have to show the Palestinian pleted. people some benefits of the peace. And we are committed to doing that. Middle East Peace Process President Chirac. Yes, I would just like Q. Mr. President Clinton, what are your to make a brief reply to that last question. thoughts about the July 1st deadline which Development in these countries is a categor- was set between the Palestinians and the Is- ical imperative. What do the Palestinians raelis for implementing the second phase in today need? They need a house, and they the Oslo Accords? And what are the eco- need a job. And for that, it takes money. nomic incentives that you are envisioning to Let me just remind you that France is the guard and promote the peace process in the largest financial contributor to the Palestin- Middle East? ian Authority’s budget. And France has every And a question for President Chirac. What intention of participating in the development is the package, the economic package that efforts, which to us seem to be exemplary. the European Community is about to pro- Now, we fully agree with the idea of setting mote or to advance to strengthen the peace up a financial system that would be as effi- in the Middle East? cient as it is quick in bringing forward results. Thank you. Now obviously, none of this has been fully President Clinton. Well, we’re working decided yet. Is it going to be a bank or is toward the deadline, and we’re working it going to be something that’s easier to set closely with the Israelis and the Palestinians. up over the short run? I think that that is As you know we’re in constant contact with more a matter of technical detail. But France both of them. And we’re doing what we can will be there, and we’ll be participating. to get other supporters involved in the proc- President Clinton. [Inaudible]—point, ess of rebuilding the Middle East. We sup- and then I owe this journalist a question be- port the establishment of a development cause she thought I was calling on her. bank, which we believe is the least costly and The other thing that I would emphasize most effective way to leverage public capital in addition to investment is—to pick up on with private investment to redevelop the re- a point the President made in his opening gion. remarks—is that we, all of us, have to be And I can tell you that today I feel pretty involved in a stronger effort to combat terror- hopeful about where we are and where we’re ism because insofar as the Israelis and others going there, both in terms of the relation- can succeed in combating terrorism, the rela- ships between Israel and the Palestinians and tionships between Israel and the Palestinians in terms of the larger issues of Middle East can be more open. The biggest threat to the peace. I have been pleased by the courage success of the peace has been closing up the and the vision shown by all the leaders there borders as a necessity of dealing with the ter- in achieving the progress that’s been ror so that it drives the income of the Pal- achieved thus far. estinians down. So they will develop a lot of And of course, as you know, we still have their own economic opportunities if we can two countries to go. We have to resolve the permit them to do so in peace and openness. differences between Israel and Syria, which And we should work on it. are difficult, but they are both working on them. And then, of course, we would then Bosnia hopefully get an agreement with Lebanon Q. Mr. President, is the United States pre- and Israel. pared to pay its share of the creation of a So I feel hopeful about it, and we’re pre- rapid deployment force for Bosnia under the pared to invest quite a lot of money in it. U.N.? And President Chirac, you have sug-
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gested that the time may have come for the Council shall comply with the Federal Advi- United States to get tough on Bosnia. What sory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. did you mean by that remark, and what spe- App.). cifically are you asking the United States to (b) The Secretary shall designate a Chair- do to help your troops on the ground? person from among the members of the Ad- President Clinton. The answer to your visory Council. first question is that it depends upon whether Sec. 2. Functions. The Advisory Council the Congress is willing to participate as well. shall provide advice, information, and rec- And so, I have received correspondence and ommendations to the Secretary regarding contacts with Congress about this. I have programs and policies intended to (a) pro- begun opening discussions about it, and I am mote effective prevention of HIV disease, (b) consulting with them. But that is up to the advance research on HIV and AIDS, and (c) Congress as well as to the President. I sup- promote quality services to persons living port, in principle, this rapid reaction force, with HIV disease and AIDS. The functions and I think it has a chance to really strength- of the Advisory Council shall be solely advi- en the U.N. mission there. To what extent sory in nature. The Secretary shall provide we can contribute depends upon congres- the President with copies of all written re- sional consultations which have only just ports provided to the Secretary by the Advi- begun. sory Council. President Chirac. Well, perhaps I must Sec. 3. Administration. (a) The heads of have misspoken, even in French, because I executive departments and agencies shall, to never said that the United States had to take the extent permitted by law, provide the Ad- a tougher stand on Bosnia. I never even men- visory Council with such information as it tioned the idea that they ought to send may require for purposes of carrying out its ground troops. We have a convergent strat- functions. egy for the time being, and I fully support (b) Any members of the Advisory Council the American stance. I hope that this time that receive compensation shall be com- my point has been made understood. pensated in accordance with Federal law. Committee members may be allowed travel NOTE: The President’s 97th news conference expenses, including per diem in lieu of sub- began at 5:15 p.m. in the East Room at the White sistence, to the extent permitted by law for House. President Chirac spoke in French, and his remarks were translated by an interpreter. persons serving intermittently in the Govern- ment service (5 U.S.C. section 5701–5707). (c) To the extent permitted by law, and Executive Order 12963— subject to the availability of appropriations, Presidential Advisory Council on the Department of Health and Human Serv- HIV/AIDS ices shall provide the Advisory Council with June 14, 1995 such funds and support as may be necessary for the performance of its functions. By the authority vested in me as President Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Notwith- by the Constitution and the laws of the Unit- standing the provisions of any other Execu- ed States of America, I hereby direct the Sec- tive order, any functions of the President retary of Health and Human Services to exer- under the Federal Advisory Committee Act cise her discretion as follows: that are applicable to the Advisory Council, Section 1. Establishment. (a) The Sec- except that of reporting annually to the Con- retary of Health and Human Services (the gress, shall be performed by the Department ‘‘Secretary’’) shall establish an HIV/AIDS of Health and Human Services, in accord- Advisory Council (the ‘‘Advisory Council’’ or ance with the guidelines and procedures es- the ‘‘Council’’), to be known as the Presi- tablished by the Administrator of General dential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. The Services. Advisory Council shall be composed of not (b) This order is intended only to improve more than 30 members to be appointed or the internal management of the executive designated by the Secretary. The Advisory branch, and it is not intended to create any
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right, benefit, or trust responsibility, sub- In Halifax, together with our partners, we stantive or procedural, enforceable at law or will focus on continuing to reform the institu- equity by a party against the United States, tions of the international economy so that we its agencies, it officers, or any person. can have more stable, reliable growth—the William J. Clinton World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and others. For a half century, they The White House, have been a sound investment, and we are June 14, 1995. committed to maintaining our support for them. But now we have to give them new [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, guidance in this new economy so that they 4:45 p.m., June 14, 1995] can continue to serve our national interests NOTE: This Executive order was published in the in a changing global economy. Federal Register on June 16. One of the key issues we’ll be addressing is creating ways to identify and prevent finan- cial problems from exploding into crises, as Remarks on Departure for the they did in Mexico. We will embrace joint Group of Seven Summit at Andrews initiatives to contain and defuse any crisis Air Force Base, Maryland that does develop, so that the United States June 15, 1995 is not the world’s lender of last resort. And we’ll continue to explore how international Good morning. As you know, I am leaving organizations, which have helped so many this morning for my third annual meeting countries to improve the lives of their people, with the leaders of the G–7 industrialized na- can better aid developing nations and expand tions. This summit marks another concrete the world’s market economies. step in our efforts to advance the security Finally, together with Russia, we will ex- and prosperity of the American people by amine the challenges to our safety and well- seizing the opportunities of the global econ- being that no country can resolve alone. We’ll omy. look at new ways we can work together to At home, we are working hard to put our combat the scourges of terrorism, nuclear economic house in order. We are creating smuggling, drug trafficking, and organized millions of jobs, working for economic crime. And of course, we will discuss a lot growth, and cutting the deficit, which is al- of the security issues that concern us all, in- ready the lowest of all the advanced countries cluding Bosnia and Iran’s nuclear ambitions. in the world. With our new budget proposal When I arrive in Halifax today, I’ll be we will wipe out the deficit in 10 years, while meeting with Prime Minister Murayama of still making room for critical investments in Japan. Our relationship is strong, and we are education and training, which our future de- cooperating on a broad variety of issues, in- mands. Going into this meeting the United cluding North Korea, which is terribly impor- States is in a strong position to continue lead- tant to both of us, the environment, and the ing our allies in the fight for long term global problems of terrorism which have visited prosperity. both our nations recently. But I will also From the beginning of our administration, make it clear to the Prime Minister that I we have led the international effort to expand am determined to carry through on my effort trade on a free and fair basis. We helped to open Japan’s auto markets. Millions of to expand world markets with NAFTA and American exports and thousands of American GATT and trade agreements with the Asian- jobs depend upon our success. And I will say Pacific countries and here with the nations again it is in the long term interest of both of the Americas. We are helping the former the Japanese people and the people of the Communist countries to convert to free mar- United States that this trade effort succeed. ket economies. In all these areas we have All around the world free markets, open turned back the forces of isolation which trade, new technologies are bringing coun- tempt us to turn away from the challenges tries closer together. Every day they are pro- and opportunities of the world. ducing untold new opportunities for our peo-
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ple; they also lead us into uncharted territory to meet the new challenges of the post-cold- with new problems. I believe on balance the war world. He led efforts to streamline our future is very bright if we have the discipline intelligence agencies while making sure that to face these issues as they arise. they maintained the unique information ad- As the world’s leading industrialized de- vantage the United States must have in meet- mocracies, those of us in the G–7 have a very ing threats to our security and prosperity. special responsibility to address these forces The many initiatives he took and innovations of change. That’s what we’ll be doing at Hali- he made have set a strong foundation for the fax. intelligence community as we move into the Thank you very much. 21st century. Admiral Studeman has offered to stay on NOTE: The President spoke at 8:40 a.m. In his the job during the coming weeks pending his remarks, he referred to Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama. successor’s confirmation—an offer I have gratefully accepted. In the years to come, I know and expect that Admiral Studeman will Statement on the Resignation of make his voice heard as we continue to adapt William O. Studeman as Deputy the intelligence community to the demands Director of Central Intelligence of a new era. June 15, 1995 Bill Studeman has dedicated his profes- sional life to making the American people With regret at his departure but gratitude safer and more secure. Today, on behalf of for his 32 years of service to our country, all Americans, I thank him. I have today accepted the resignation of Ad- miral William O. Studeman as Deputy Direc- tor of Central Intelligence. Throughout an extraordinary and exem- plary career, Admiral Studeman has done Digest of Other honor to his uniform. He rose through the White House Announcements ranks of the Navy, serving as a career intel- ligence officer, Executive Assistant to the The following list includes the President’s public Vice Chief of Naval Operations, Director of schedule and other items of general interest an- Long Range Planning, and ultimately, the nounced by the Office of the Press Secretary and 53d Director of Naval Intelligence. not included elsewhere in this issue. The practical and profound expertise Ad- miral Studeman developed in intelligence June 11 has served him and our Nation well in two In the morning, the President traveled to critical assignments: Director of the National Hanover, NH. Security Agency, and then Deputy Director In the afternoon, the President held inter- of Central Intelligence. Within the intel- views with the Union Leader of Manchester, ligence community, in Congress and NH, and WMUR television in the Dickey throughout the executive branch, he earned Room of Baker Library at Dartmouth Col- a reputation for integrity, collegiality, and lege. Following the interviews, he attended competence of the highest order. a private reception at the library. He then As Deputy Director of Central Intel- went to Claremont, NH. ligence, Admiral Studeman served two Presi- In the evening, the President traveled to dents and three Directors of Central Intel- Boston, MA. He returned to Washington, ligence. On two extended occasions, he took DC, later in the evening. on the responsibilities of Acting Director. I am especially grateful for the continuity and June 12 leadership he provided to the entire intel- In the late morning, the President met ligence community in a time of great change. with Capt. Scott O’Grady, USAF, the pilot Admiral Studeman helped begin the difficult who was rescued after being shot down in but vital task of transforming the community western Bosnia. Following the meeting, he
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hosted a lunch for Captain O’Grady and his The President announced his intention to family in the Residence. appoint the following members to the Board The President announced his intention to for International Food and Agricultural De- nominate the following individuals to the fol- velopment: Ada Demb; Walter Falcon; Miles lowing ambassadorial posts: Goggans; Alan Kligerman; Edward Schuh; —Michael William Cotter, Ambassador to and Goro Uehara. Turkmenistan; —Elizabeth Jones, Ambassador to June 14 Kazakhstan; In the evening, the President and Hillary —Kenneth Michael Quinn, Ambassador to Clinton hosted a dinner for European Coun- Cambodia; cil President Jacques Chirac and Bernardette —John K. Menzies, Ambassador to Bosnia Chirac, and European Commission President and Herzegovina; Jacques Santer and Daniele Santer in the —John Raymond Malott, Ambassador to State Dining Room. Malaysia; June 15 —John Todd Stewart, Ambassador to In the morning, the President and Hillary Moldova; and Clinton traveled to Shearwater Military Base, —Victor Jackovich, Ambassador to Slove- Nova Scotia, Canada. Following an arrival nia. ceremony at the base, they boarded the The President announced his intention to H.M.S. Sir William Alexander and traveled nominate James E. Goodby for the rank of to Halifax, where they participated in an ar- Ambassador during his tenure of service as rival ceremony at the Historic Halifax Dock. Principal Negotiator and Special Representa- In the afternoon, the President met with tive of the President for Nuclear Safety and Prime Minister Tomiichi Murayama of Japan Dismantlement. in the Board Room at Dalhousie University. The President announced his intention to Following their meeting, they held a press appoint Gerald T. Garvey, Courtney Rior- conference in University Hall. dan, and Reginal Spiller to the Geologic In the evening, the President attended a Mapping Advisory Committee. welcoming reception and dinner for the Group of Seven leaders at Government June 13 House. The President announced his intention to The President announced his intention to nominate Under Secretary of the Treasury nominate the following individuals to the fol- for International Affairs Lawrence Summers lowing ambassadorial posts: as Deputy Treasury Secretary. —Edward Brynn, Ambassador to Ghana; The President declared a major disaster in —Peggy Blackford, Ambassador to Guin- Kentucky and ordered Federal funds to sup- ea-Bissau; plement State and local recovery efforts in —Daniel Howard Simpson, Ambassador communities struck by tornadoes, severe to Zaire; wind and hail storms, torrential rain, and —John Hirsch, Ambassador to Sierra flooding on May 13–19. Leone; The President declared a major disaster in —Vicki Huddleston, Ambassador to Texas and ordered Federal funds to supple- Madagascar; and ment State and local recovery efforts in com- —Elizabeth Raspolic, Ambassador to Sao munities struck by severe thunderstorms, Tome and Principe. flooding, hail, and tornadoes on May 28–31. The President announced his intention to The President took action to protect life nominate John W. Hechinger, Sr., to the Na- and property from the threat of rising water tional Security Education Board. in the State of North Dakota’s Devil Lake The President announced his intention to Basin by determining that certain Federal- appoint Scott Bernstein as a member of the aid roads in the basin area are eligible for Federal Advisory Committee on Greenhouse assistance from the Federal Highway Admin- Gas Emissions From Personal Motor Vehi- istration’s emergency fund. cles.
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The President announced his intention to Nominations appoint Jared L. Cohon, John W. Arendt, and Submitted to the Senate Jeffrey J. Wong as members of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. The President announced that Secretary The following list does not include promotions of of Health and Human Services Donna members of the Uniformed Services, nominations Shalala appointed the following individuals to the Service Academies, or nominations of For- eign Service officers. to serve on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS: R. Scott Hitt; Terje Anderson; Regina Aragon; Mary Boland; Nicholas Submitted June 13 Bollman; Robert L. Fogel; Debra Frazer- Howze; Kathleen M. Gerus; Edward Gould; Edward Scott Blair, Phyllis Greenberger; Bob Hattoy; Carole of Tennessee, to be U.S. Marshal for the laFavor; Jeremy Landau; Alexandra Mary Le- Middle District of Tennessee, vice Charles F. Goggin III. vine; Steve Lew; Altagracia Perez; H. Alexan- der Robinson; Debbie Runions; Benjamin Michael William Cotter, Schatz; Denise Stokes; Charles Quincy of the District of Columbia, a career member Troupe; Sandra Thurman; and Bruce G. of the Senior Foreign Service, class of Coun- Weniger. selor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of June 16 America to the Republic of Turkmenistan. In the morning, the President went to Summit Place, where he attended a G–7 James E. Goodby, leaders meeting. He then met with Prime of the District of Columbia, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as Minister John Major of Great Britain and at- Principal Negotiator for the Safe and Secure tended a working lunch with G–7 leaders. Dismantlement of Nuclear Weapons. In the afternoon, the President met with Chancellor Helmut Kohl at Summit Place. Victor Jackovich, He then attended the first plenary session of Iowa, a career member of the Senior For- of the G–7 summit at the Maritime Museum eign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, to of the Atlantic. Following the meeting, he be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- participated in a press conference with the potentiary of the United States of America G–7 leaders at Sackville Landing. He then to the Republic of Slovenia. returned to Dalhousie University where he held a press conference. A. Elizabeth Jones, In the evening, the President attended a of Maryland, a career member of the Senior reception and working dinner with G–7 lead- Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, ers at the Waegwoltic Boat Club. He then to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- went to Harbourfront where he and Hillary potentiary of the United States of America Clinton attended a brief reception, a per- to the Republic of Kazakhstan. formance by Cirque du Soleil, and a fire- John Raymond Malott, works display. of Virginia, a career member of the Senior The President announced his intention to Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, nominate Ernest J. Moniz as Associate Direc- to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- tor for Science at the Office of Science and potentiary of the United States of America Technology Policy. to Malaysia. The President announced his intention to appoint Luis J. Lauredo as the U.S. Rep- John K. Menzies, resentative to the Southern States Energy of Virginia, a career member of the Senior Board. Foreign Service, class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni-
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potentiary of the United States of America Transcript of a press briefing by Secretary to the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. of State Warren Christopher and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin on the G–7 summit Kenneth Michael Quinn, in Halifax, Nova Scotia of Iowa, a career member of the Senior For- eign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, to Transcript of a press briefing by Chief of be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- Staff Leon Panetta, National Economic potentiary of the United States of America Council Chair Laura D’Andrea Tyson, Direc- to Cambodia. tor of the Office of Management and Budget Alice Rivlin, and Treasury Secretary Robert John Todd Stewart, Rubin on the President’s address to the Na- of California, a career member of the Senior tion on the plan to balance the budget Foreign Service, class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Pleni- Released June 14 potentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova. Joint statement with European Union leaders Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- Submitted June 14 retary Mike McCurry Beth Susan Slavet, Transcript of a press briefing by Director of of Massachusetts, to be a member of the the Office of Management and Budget Alice Merit Systems Protection Board for the term Rivlin and Health and Human Services Sec- of 7 years expiring March 1, 2002, vice Jessica retary Donna Shalala on the President’s plan L. Parks, term expired. to balance the budget
Released June 15 White House statement on Senate passage Checklist of S. 652 of White House Press Releases Released June 16 The following list contains releases of the Office Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- of the Press Secretary that are neither printed as retary Mike McCurry and Department of items nor covered by entries in the Digest of State Spokesman Dave Johnson on the G– Other White House Announcements. 7 meeting in Halifax
Released June 11 Fact sheet on financial reforms Transcript of remarks by Press Secretary Fact sheet on United Nations reforms Mike McCurry in Lebanon, NH Fact sheet on the Halifax economic commu- nique highlights Released June 12 Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- retary Mike McCurry Released June 13 Acts Approved Transcript of a press briefing by Press Sec- by the President retary Mike McCurry
Statement by Press Secretary Mike McCurry NOTE: No acts approved by the President were on the announcement that France will re- received by the Office of the Federal Register sume nuclear testing during the period covered by this issue.
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